A very special 150-mile sponsored walk was organised by Graham Ralph in memory of his daughter Libby Ralph to raise money for charities including Rockinghorse.
Friends and family of Libby Ralph, who tragically took her own life in January 2019, embarked on a remarkable journey to honour her memory and raise awareness of teenage mental health and suicide prevention.
The 150-mile Red Balloon Walk, named after Libby’s favourite song Nena’s 99 Red Balloons, spanned eight days from 22 to 29 May, starting in Gravesend, Kent, and finishing in High Hurstwood, East Sussex.
Family and friends of Libby’s, including her brothers Charlie and Will, visited important locations associated with her life. Starting at her grandparents’ home in Gravesend, the route included Libby’s childhood homes in Gravesend and Crowborough, Chalkhill Hospital in Haywards Heath where Libby was an inpatient, her gymnastics club in Uckfield and her memorial bench in Calverley Gardens, Tunbridge Wells.
The walk supported three charities: PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide charity, Rockinghorse Children’s Charity and the Charity for Civil Servants, raising more than £15,000 in total, with £2,545 being donated to Rockinghorse.
Graham undertook the whole eight days of the walk but along the way he was joined by lots of friends and family at different parts of the route, including Libby’s brother Will and his girlfriend Harriet.
Graham explained why he wanted to organise the walk. He said, “We are deeply committed to honouring Libby’s memory by advocating for better mental health support for teenagers and preventing future tragedies. This walk represents a journey of love, remembrance, and hope.”
Emma Henderson, Supporter Engagement Manager at Rockinghorse said, “We are so grateful to Graham, his family and friends for organising Libby’s Red Balloon Walk and raising such an incredible amount in Libby’s memory.
“Most importantly, this extraordinary 150-mile walk is helping to raise awareness for teenage mental health issues.”
Rockinghorse Children’s Charity fund an Activities Programme at Chalkhill, a specialist mental health hospital in Haywards Heath for children and young people where Libby was a patient.
Chalkhill offers mental health treatment and support for young people who are experiencing acute mental health and emotional difficulties, such as depression, eating disorders and psychosis. The Programme provides the therapeutic benefit of meaningful and enjoyable activities for the young people to take part in during their stay.
To find out more about the Chalkhill Activity Programme, click here.
