Sisters Linda Manley and Lorraine Wilson from Fermanagh and their team, "Together We Thrive," are preparing to participate in AWARE NI's Giant Steps 2025, a walking challenge along the stunning Causeway coastline on 17 May 2025.

For Linda, this event holds deep personal meaning. "Ten years ago, on this very date, my sister Lorraine saved my life during a time when I was really struggling with my mental health," Linda shares. "Lorraine suggested we take part to celebrate how far we've come and to give back to a cause so close to our hearts."

Linda's mental health journey has been both long and challenging. "The stigma around mental health made it difficult to speak up or ask for help," she explains. "When I finally reached out, I faced long waiting lists and felt isolated."

Now, Linda, Lorraine, and three close family members and friends are walking to raise funds and awareness for AWARE NI's vital services. "AWARE NI's peer-led support groups are a lifeline because they connect people with others who truly understand and provide the help they need."

"Giant Steps is about hope, resilience, and making sure no one else feels alone like I did," Linda says. "I'm proof that you can be at rock bottom and turn things around… back then, I never would have believed I'd be here today, happily married to a man who makes me feel loved and safe, with a beautiful baby boy. So although you may not believe things will get better, they can, and they will."

Lorraine, who was the one to find Linda during her most difficult moment, shares her perspective. "The date 17 May stings; it's a date I'll never forget," Lorraine reflects. "That night still haunts me. Things could have ended so differently, but I'm incredibly proud of how far Linda has come and the strong, amazing woman she has become."

"For anyone suffering quietly, there is help – whether it's speaking to a loved one or an organisation like AWARE NI – you need to reach out and get the help that works for you," Lorraine adds.

Now in its fourth year, Giant Steps will welcome over 500 participants from across the country, taking on routes of 7, 13, or 20 miles to support AWARE NI's life-changing mental health services including their peer-led support groups.

AWARE NI's network of Support Groups provide vital connection and hope to those facing mental health challenges across Northern Ireland, including a group that meets fortnightly in Enniskillen at the Aisling Centre. The Enniskillen group meets fortnightly on Wednesdays at 7pm. These services rely on public fundraising to remain open, meaning every pound raised through Giant Steps helps ensure they can continue supporting local communities.

Bridie Kelly, Community Fundraiser for AWARE NI, praised Linda and Lorraine's dedication to the cause: "Giant Steps is more than just a fundraising walk – it's a movement of hope, resilience, and community. Linda and Lorraine's courage and honesty inspire us all. Every story shared helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental ill-health, and every step taken ensures that people facing mental health challenges can access support through AWARE NI's peer-led support groups."

Linda is looking forward to the opportunity to connect with others at the event. "I'm excited to walk not just to mark this special date but to meet others and hear their stories about what this event and charity mean to them. The more we talk about AWARE NI, the more people will know about the charity and its services to get the help they need."

To register for Giant Steps 2025 and support mental health services across Northern Ireland, visit www.aware-ni.org/giant today.

Tags: AWARE | Depression | Fundraising | Mental Health | Northern Ireland