Thank you to everyone who supported the Sunrise Walk of Hope
Over 850 islanders came together in the early hours of Sunday 21st June to take part in Guernsey Mind’s Sunrise Walk of Hope, kindly supported by Gower.
Setting off from Vale Castle at 4am, walkers followed a 6km route along the east coast, finishing at the Bathing Pools. At the end of the walk, participants were welcomed with hot drinks, pastries and fresh fruit, generously served by the Girl Guides and the team at La Vallette. A moving performance from local singer Emily Fern added a special and memorable touch to the morning.
The Sunrise Walk of Hope has become an important moment for our community each year. It’s a chance to come together to remember loved ones, raise awareness around suicide, and show support for anyone affected by loss. It also shines a light on the vital work Guernsey Mind does in suicide prevention and mental health support.
This is a recording of Emily Fern performing Jesse J’s ‘I’ll Never Know Why’ with video footage of the 2026 Gower Sunrise Walk of Hope by Ross Yeates of SkyWave Media. We are very grateful to them both for this extremely powerful video.
Ross said: “Emily approached me earlier this year about creating a music video for a song she was recording in memory of the a close friend of her family who sadly lost their life to suicide. As soon as I heard the song, it really struck me as a powerful and emotional piece. I felt it would work perfectly alongside Guernsey Mind’s annual Sunrise Walk of Hope, which I have covered for the past four years. We hope it helps raise awareness and reinforces the message that there is always someone to talk to.”
Emily added: “When I stood at the finish line singing and watched hundreds of people walk towards the sunrise, all I could think about was how every single person there had their own reason for walking. Some were remembering someone they loved, some were walking beside people they love, and some may have been silently carrying battles of their own. I chose to sing I’ll Never Know Why because it’s a song that has come to mean so much to me. Like so many others, I’ve seen the heartbreak suicide leaves behind, and the song captures so many of the feelings that are often impossible to put into words.
Music says the things we sometimes can’t find the words for ourselves. It can bring comfort, help us feel understood, or simply sit with us in the quiet when nothing else seems to help. If my music gave someone a moment of comfort, made them feel a little less alone, gave them space to reflect, or simply put a smile on their face, then that means more to me than I can put into words. I felt so honoured to be a part of such a special morning.”
Mental health affects so many people and families, often in ways we cannot see. By taking part in this event, I hope to honour my mum’s memory and help raise awareness and support for a cause that has touched so many lives. A sunrise represents hope, light, and the promise of a new day. So as the sun rises, I’ll be thinking of my mum, honouring her memory, and remembering the warmth she brought to so many lives..
One of the walkers in the 2026 event
Further information on suicidal thoughts and suicide prevention
Thanks to our photographer Marc Gouarin and drone operator Ross Yeates for capturing images from the event.
We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us this year — the turnout was incredible and the largest we’ve ever seen. While the walk is an important fundraiser, its true purpose is raising awareness of suicide prevention and reminding people that support is available. Through this event, we want people to know they are not alone, and we encourage anyone who is struggling to reach out.
Amanda Hibbs – Communications and Events Lead at Guernsey Mind