A group of runners are set to take on a 5k run in Darlington this evening to raise charity funds and suicide awareness.

Glebe Road is the meeting point for runners this evening (September 11) who are poised to take on a run around Harrowgate Hill at 7pm to mark world suicide prevention day and raise funds for two charities.

IfUCareShare and Darlington-based charity the Harvey McWilliams Foundation are to be the recipients of funds raised before the run, which has been promoted by Darlington Trail.

One of the organisers behind the event is Nikki Gaynor, 49.

Nikki, who works for Royal Mail, is an avid mental health campaigner and has just completed day 254 of 365 in a challenge to run 5k every day in 2024.

She is now hoping that tonight's event will be the "biggest" of the year and draw a large group of people who can run, walk, or jog the route.

Nikki said: "I am very passionate about suicide prevention - and I just want to do something about it, and make a difference.

"The system is on its knees and there are so many people who need support. Just because someone looks okay doesn't mean they are okay."

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The event has been scheduled in time to align with World Suicide Prevention Day which took place on September 10. 

She added: "We just have to do something and raise awareness - it is not a taboo subject and it is something that needs to be talked about. 

"Touch wood it helps an it encourages people to speak up!"