LEXINGTON (LEX 18) — It was an early wake-up call Saturday for participants in a 5K walk in Lexington that kicked off before the sun came up.
Dozens took part in the Solace Sunrise Walk out at Coldstream Park, raiding awareness about suicide and mental health.
The unusual charity walk began before sunrise.
The Solace House, which provides counseling services for people grappling with suicidal distress, organized the first Sunrise Walk in 2015.
It since has expanded across the world. Every year in June, participants gather to start the walk in darkness, finishing around daybreak. The purpose to mirror a journey from darkness into the light.
“We hope to have people here today that might just not have anybody else to talk to or maybe wasn’t excited about getting up this morning and has something to go to and meet people that they might not have met before,” said walk organizer Fallon O’Byrne. “We have lights set up spelling hope, just to give them something to hope for.”
Proceeds from the walk go to help expand services at the Solace House. Saturday marked the inaugural Lexington Sunrise Walk, but the organizers hope it’s the first of many.
