Participants at No One Walks Alone in Foxton in 2020. They included family members affected by suicide, police, Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden and Ōtaki MP Terisa Ngobi.
In 2018 whānau of Foxton were bowled over by the tragic loss of Josh Larsen, a loved son, mokopuna and friend through suicide. His Uncle Dan Taylor decided that he would like to do something about it and came up with the idea of No One Walks Alone to gather
any and all people who are or have been affected by suicide and, by walking together, to show that there is always someone there to help.
Kōrero Haumaru ki Te Awahou (Safe Talk Foxton) is a community group initiated by Kiwa Whareaitu (Whakapai Hauora suicide prevention navigator, bought up in Foxton) and has mushroomed into a vibrant, pro-active whānau-led community group that meets every month to discuss support for whānau in many kaupapa. The No One Walks Alone Event is its flagship kaupapa into which the team puts all its effort to bring a wonderful day for the region, celebrated in Foxton with its own whānau flavour.
This year, on Saturday, November 11 (the fourth year of the event), from 9am, walkers will start at Te Waiora Health Centre on Ladys Mile and head to the centre of town, to the water tower, or Paretao, the Māori name the old pā kainga on the site. There will be karanga, karakia and a time to remember those who have passed.
The walk will then return to the centre of town, outside Whare Manaaki, near the windmill, where there will be entertainment, a free sausage sizzle, free bouncy castles and fun activities, freebies and prizes, healthy stalls and many other goodies. Riders Against Teen Suicide (RATS) will be there again to support the day.
Entertainment will be provided by special guests Che Fu, sons Loxmyn (professional sax player) and Jeru (scratch DJ artist) as well as some well-known local talent, including Nukulele Boom, Sheree and Jeff Carr (Sheree is Josh Larsen’s aunty), kapa haka and dance groups.
