Almost 100 'amazing, brave people' joined forces to fight the stigma of mental health.
Organisers hailed the success of an inaugural Warrior Walk on Sunday as those fighting the stigma of mental health and people battling self-harm bared their scars as they walked along the seafront.
The charity walk, from All Saints Road car park in Pakefield to the Royal Green in Lowestoft, was held as part of the Lowestoft Summer Festival.
Highlighting mental health issues, the sponsored walk also raised funds and awareness while helping to dispel myths and anxieties as it reduced the stigma attached to mental health.
With the walk led by mental health activist Sarah Barrett, it included Waveney MP Peter Aldous and Labour MEP for the East of England, Alex Mayer.
The group of walkers were welcomed onto stage at Royal Green by Sarah's mother Cath Pickles, who said: 'Today about 90 amazing, brave people have got together to show people in Lowestoft and also the wider world that we care about people who are living with mental health conditions, we support them and that they are part of our community and valued.'
Mrs Mayer said: 'I was really pleased when I was invited here to support this walk. Its about raising awareness, its about fighting the stigma of mental health, its about people who have suffered from mental health conditions and its also their friends and their family who support them.
'Mental health is an issue that matters here in Lowestoft, across Suffolk and Norfolk, across the whole country and the whole of Europe.'
Mr Aldous said: 'This walk is very important in raising the profile of mental health issues.'
With a Fight the Stigma stall on Royal Green, the organisers praised the support of the Better Together group, who ran the stall. They meet every Thursday at the Involve Centre on the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate between 7.30pm and 9,30pm.
With monies raised to support the causes Fight the Stigma consider to be priorities, and also to Great Yarmouth and Waveney Mind, Ms Pickles added: 'It has been a fantastic turnout – it is not easy for anyone living with mental health issues – and its just been lovely the support we have had.'
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fts-the-warrior-walk
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