Published Thursday 3 September 2026 at 15:09
People in Blackburn and Darwen are invited to come together next week to mark World Suicide Prevention Day to remember those whose lives have been lost to suicide and to find out and raise awareness around the help and support available.
Taking place on Thursday 10 September the event features a walk, marketplace and vigil.
The walk will begin in Darwen, with a group leaving from Darwen Market Square at 10am. Before setting off Councillor Anthony Shaw, the new Leader of Darwen Town Council will make a speech alongside Guest speaker Si Donnelly, Founder of Talk Ourselves Well.
The group will then start the 4.3mile walk towards Blackburn along the A666 with banners and flags made by local groups, bearing messages of hope and support for anyone affected by suicide. Amongst those who have registered for the walk this year are local charity Nightsafe, Rugby League Cares and East Lancs Hospice, alongside local residents.
There will be a stop at Ewood Park around 11.15am for a short break and refreshments kindly provided by Blackburn Rovers Community Trust before the group continues on to Blackburn Town Centre to join the vigil outside Blackburn Town Hall which starts at 12.30pm.
This year there will an additional stop at Blackburn Cathedral at 12pm to enable anyone with mobility difficulties to join the last bit of the walk up to Blackburn Town Hall.
Speakers at the vigil include Margaret Jepson from Samaritans and Shigufta Khan from The Wish Centre alongside speeches from the Leader of the Council Phil Riley, Chief Executive Denise Parks and the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen.
Alongside the vigil and speeches there will be a number of stalls (11.30am – 2pm) featuring 24 local organisations, community groups and support services providing information, advice and resources on mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention including information on Mental Health First Aid training.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen said:
Everyone is welcome to join in any part of our annual World Suicide Prevention Day activities. The day offers a chance to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide with local organisations offering advice for those who are seeking support for themselves, a friend, family member or simply wanting to learn more about the help available locally.
The 40 second silence, representing one person dying from suicide around the world every 40 seconds, provides an important moment of reflection for everyone to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide and speakers will give messages of hope to those affected by suicide or struggling with their own challenges.
The activities that will take place are an important part of our work around mental health and wellbeing and I encourage everyone to come along on the day.
For more information about the Suicide Prevention Day activities in Blackburn with Darwen and to register for the free walk visit the Be Well Daily World Suicide Prevention Day page.