On Saturday, 15th March, a special 5km charity walk, jog, or run will take place along the seafront Avenida in Puerto del Carmen, organised as part of the island’s official annual St. Patrick’s celebrations.
The event aims to raise vital awareness and support for mental health and suicide prevention in both Ireland and Lanzarote. It is organised by the Irish organisation Shine.ie through its Mental Health – Green Ribbon Campaign, in collaboration with the Canarias Eco-Education Centre, a local non-profit leading the project Suicide Awareness Education in Lanzarote.
The route will cover 2.5 kilometres out and 2.5 kilometres back, a distance chosen to symbolise a shared journey. It represents starting together, supporting one another along the way, and finishing united in the fight against the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide.
Organisers have expressed their deep gratitude for the institutional support that has made the event possible. “We are very grateful for the support that has made this event possible, particularly the Cabildo de Lanzarote (President Oswaldo Betancort García) and the Ayuntamiento de Tías (Mayor Jose Juan Cruz Saavedra), whose collaboration has helped us bring this meaningful initiative to the Puerto del Carmen promenade.”
Mental health stigma remains one of the biggest barriers to treatment and recovery. The Shine.ie Green Ribbon Campaign in Ireland works year-round to reduce this stigma, encourage understanding, and promote compassionate community support. All funds raised from this Lanzarote event will go directly to Shine.ie to support their essential mental health awareness and suicide prevention work.
To participate and show support, individuals are invited to purchase a green ribbon for a minimum donation of €10. Wearing the ribbon during the walk – and throughout St. Patrick’s week in Puerto del Carmen – serves as a visible sign of solidarity. It helps spark conversations and keeps mental health visible in the community. Any additional donations, no matter the size, are also warmly welcomed and will directly support ongoing mental health initiatives.
Whether you choose to walk, jog, or run, your participation sends a powerful message: mental health matters, stigma must end, and no one should face these challenges alone. For those unable to attend in person, there is an option to take part virtually from Ireland or anywhere else in the world on the same day, with a digital participation certificate provided.
Donations can be made at the official GoFundMe page here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-ireland-to-lanzarote-5k-for-mental-health-awareness
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!