PHOTOS: Hundreds do Gumboot Friday Loop Walk in Whangārei

Dwane Kokich, left, takes a donation from Jonathan Hemsworth at the Gumboot Friday Loop Walk in Whangārei.

Where to get help:? If you are worried about your own or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. But if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call police on 111. 1737, Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor / Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (24/7) / Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (24/7) / Youth services: (06) 3555 906 / Youthline: 0800 376 633 / Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (24/7) / Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm) / Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) / Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155 / CASPER Suicide Prevention / Lifelink: 0800 726 666 (24/7)

Gumboot Friday saw hundreds of people across Northland don their boots and raise money for and awareness or depression.

Gumboot Friday, an initiative from New Zealander of the Year Mike King and the mental health charity I am Hope, asked New Zealanders to wear their gumboots to work or school on Gumboot Friday for a gold coin donation.

On Friday evening gumboot-clad people, and many also barefoot, walked around Whangārei's Hatea Loop to raise funds for young people living with depression. The donations help the Key to Life Trust provide free counselling to kids in need.

Organiser of the loop event Nick Connop said around 400 people did the walk, with the event raising $1517.37.

Sonny Shelford with Nick Connop before the event started.

''We topped the amount up so that it ended with 17.37 because 1737 is the number people can text if they need help,'' Connop said.

He said it was a great turnout on the evening and showed that many people were taking the issue of mental health seriously.

''It is a real issue and it's only really now that people are starting to talk about it as much as it should be.''

Connop was already organising next year's Gumboot Friday Loop Walk, which will take place on April 3.

Northern Advocate photographer John Stone went along too on Friday.

Recent UK arrivals Avyn and Sarah Taylor with daughter Honey, right, and front Daisy and Ethan, were happy to put their best feet forward in their gumboots (or wellies as they are known in the UK).

A happy crew take to the pathway to support a good cause.

A group of walkers stride out on the loop.

Dinky Russell from One Tree Point dressed up for the event.