JOIN THE MAYOR'S WALK TO REMEMBER ON SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2026

Please see the below invitation from:

Natalie Beaumont-Robson (Nat) | Project and Engagement Manager, Medway Council | Gun Wharf, Dock Road, Chatham, ME4 4TR

We would love for you to join us on Saturday 26 September 2026 for the Community Celebration at the Cliffe Woods Community Centre and Social Club from 1pm with the special unveiling of the new Cliffe Woods suicide prevention bench happening at 3pm.

Organised via our Stronger Together Project, a new volunteer-led community fundraising initiative supporting suicide prevention charities while tackling loneliness and isolation through community events that bring people together with the majority of our past events hosted right here at the Cliffe Woods Social club, this event is taking place with support from the Mayor of Medway and is raising funds for suicide prevention charity Legend on the Bench.

Join the Mayor's Walk to Remember

Join us on Saturday, 26 September at this community fundraising event supported by the Mayor of Medway.

The event is raising funds for Legend on the Bench, a suicide prevention charity that installs special benches that light up to display helplines and encourage people to talk. Two new benches will be unveiled on the day in Hoo Village Square at 12noon and Cliffe Woods Parkside at 3pm.

Alongside the bench unveilings, you are invited to participate in one of two walks to raise money for the Legend on the Bench charity. The walks will take you through Medway’s countryside ending at a free community celebration in Cliffe Woods.

You can choose from two walk options:

1. Full Walk - Wainscott ➜ Hoo ➜ Cliffe Woods (approx. 8 miles)
2. Half Walk - Hoo ➜ Cliffe Woods (approx. 4 miles)

Find out more about the event

How to join the walk

To join the walk you will need to register your place. There are only 100 spots available, so make sure you do it soon.

To help reduce last-minute cancellations and to support our fundraising efforts, a minimum £5 donation per participant is required to register. All donations go directly to Legend on the Bench via our GoFundMe page and are therefore non-refundable.

All registered walkers will receive a fundraising pack with a fundraising tracker, a route map, social media assets, a children's activity and useful tools to help support your fundraising efforts.

Walk details

1. 9.30am - briefing at the Maritime Academy
2. Walk in groups of approx. 10 people, led by volunteer walk leaders.
3. 12noon - half walk participants join us and we will unveil a new suicide prevention bench in Hoo Village Square.
4. Finish in Cliffe Woods at the community celebration starting from 1pm featuring live music, community stalls and family-friendly activities.
5. 3pm - unveiling of a second new bench in Cliffe Woods Parkside.

Can't do the walk?

You can still get involved. The finish line and community celebration at the Cliffe Woods Community Centre and Social Club (ME3 8HX) is open to everyone from 1pm, featuring live music from our in-house band ‘Beats Workin’ also known as ‘Business as Usual’, community stalls from our Loneliness & Isolation Hub and Family Solutions colleagues, family-friendly entertainment, plus the special unveiling of a second suicide prevention bench with special guests.

You can also donate towards the fundraiser via GoFundMe.

For any further details, please email Natalie Robson at natalie.robson@medway.gov.uk