CLEVELAND’S police and crime commissioner Barry Coppinger has pulled on his boots to support people with mental illness or addictions.
He and dozens of others walked from Tees Barrage to Stockton Parish Church Gardens as part of One Red Sunflower's Walk a Mile project.
The walk was one of a week-long series of community walks aimed at highlighting the issues faced by people who live with mental illness or addiction.
The initiative, which ended on Friday (June 20), aimed to break down the stigma sometimes associated with mental health.
Mr Coppinger said: “Events like this which bring the issues out into the open for honest discussion are invaluable in breaking apart stereotypes and reducing the stigma of discussing mental health.
“As a keen walker myself it is great to be able to combine an activity I truly enjoy with a cause I am passionate about taking forward.”
One Red Sunflower aims to build on the success of 1245 sunflowers in 2014, which saw Stockton communities come together to grow sunflowers to represent the 1245 men and boys of Stockton who lost their lives in the First World War.
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