By BRIDGET COOK
MORE than 130 people united at Cranbourne Racecourse on the weekend to walk together against suicide.
The second annual Long Walk for Life was held on Saturday, with teams and individuals walking for 10 hours to raise awareness and money to train people in suicide intervention and prevention to save lives.
About $20,000 was raised through the walk and a charity dinner held in the weeks leading up to it, with proceeds going to Cranbourne organisation Life! Central to train people in suicide intervention and prevention.
Organiser Julie Bendall, who lost her brother Jeffrie Reardon in 2000 to suicide, said the walk was amazing and she had been overwhelmed by the community’s response.
“The event was really powerful and there was a general feeling that we could all do something about suicide,” she said.
“It empowered people that they don’t have to be silent.
“The atmosphere was really moving.
“Everyone was talking… met new people and were there for the one cause.”
The event came about after Ms Bendall walked from Adelaide to Cranbourne in 15 days in 2011 to raise awareness and funds for suicide and depression in memory of her brother.
Ms Bendall said many people asked her during that time how they could help and get involved also.
That’s when the Long Walk for Life was born, with 100 people taking part in the inaugural event last year which raised $8000.
Ms Bendall said she wanted to thank all the businesses and people involved in this year’s event who helped make it a success.
To find out more about suicide intervention and prevention training call Life! Central on 5996 7011.
