COMMUNITY members will once again be able to gather to remember those they\u2019ve lost at the Suicide Prevention Awareness Network\u2019s annual walk, set for 20 March.<\/p>\n
This year will be the first walk since 2019, with the past two walks cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/p>\n
SPAN founder Alannah McGregor said it was a relief to bring back the event which can give support to those who need it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had a lot of people contact me and say \u2018when are you going to do it?\u2019. When we had to cancel it last year there was quite a lot of disappointment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve often had people who have attended for their first year after a death and they say that it\u2019s the only place they\u2019ve been where they feel free to talk to other people.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t feel like they\u2019re alone, they can see that other people are going through a similar situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms McGregor said this year\u2019s walk may look different to previous ones, with SPAN\u2019s efforts focused on getting the event up and running successfully under whatever COVID restrictions are in force at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this stage we\u2019re probably looking at a smaller day rather than going all out,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re better off to just hold it and get the people there who want to be there rather than go out of our way to try and get more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, a program of events is scheduled from 9.30am to 12pm, with the two-kilometre walk commencing at 11am at the Dai Gum San Precinct.<\/p>\n
With this year being the ninth walk since the event was first held in 2012, Ms McGregor said SPAN was committed to seeing it continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will go ahead as long as it can and we\u2019ll do our best to make that happen,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n