Healthy Start, Healthy Future is holding the fourth national fundraiser walkathon – Flora’s Walk for Perinatal Mental Health. The term perinatal refers to anyone in the pregnancy or postpartum period and several mental health concerns can arise during that time (i.e. Postpartum depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, etc.).

The walk is in honour of a Canadian Mom from Toronto named Flora who tragically lost her life to postpartum psychosis on January 14, 2022. Moms, babies, family and friends are all invited to join for a stroller walk to discuss, promote, and support perinatal mental health.

This is our first time hosting the event in Cranbrook and are excited to engage with the community to raise awareness and support!

We are looking to raise $10,000 to offer free perinatal mental health support for the moms and birthing parents in out community. A recent study found identifies that perinatal mental health issues are some main challenges facing parents in our community and perinatal mental health support is an unmet need in our community. Families in Kimberley and surrounding areas are welcome to access this support as well.

We encourage everyone to come out for a day of advocacy, fun, and community!

Details of Flora’s Walk Cranbrook:

Date: Sunday, May 25

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Location: Rotary Park

9:30/10;00 a.m.: Volunteers arrive/set up.

10:30 -Event starts, Welcome Messages.

10:40: Speech about Perinatal Mental Health & Flora’s story.

10:50-Speaker with Lived Experience.

11:00-Mayor or MPP Bobbi Ann to speak (If able to attend).

11:15- one km walk around Rotary Park- a short walk for representation, Wagons, strollers, and children’s bikes are welcome on this family-friendly walk.

11:45: Sponsor Recognition, Raffle prizes, Thank You’s & Community building.

12:00 p.m. Postpartum Yoga in the park; all welcome.

12:30: Event ends.

This year, the money raised by Team Cranbrook will go to: 

• 70% of the funds raised go back into supporting access to perinatal services in our community! This year, we are proud to partner with Bellies to Babies, which will facilitate no cost postpartum mental health programming to benefit residents in Haldimand County.
• 10% will be donated in trust to Flora’s daughter.
• 20% of the funds raised will go towards administrative costs of Flora’s Walk.

Please find our fundraising page here.

Ashley Neumann and Jenn Betts,

Floras Walk Team Cranbrook

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