Darkness into Light – a walk into hope

In the darkness of Saturday, May 10, at 6am, locals and expats gathered on the coast – in Benalmadena at the Plaza el Remo, La Cala de Mijas, Boulevard de la Cala, and at the chiringuito Blue Dolphin in Estepona – to begin their walk into the light.

The Darkness into Light, now in its 10th year, was held at three locations on the Costa del Sol to raise funds for Afesol (a mental health charity), to promote awareness of suicide and self harm prevention, and also to honor loved ones who have passed away.

Spirits were high even though some people had stayed up all night. They were eager to begin the walk of 5km, from the darkness and darkness of the night into the bright, shining light of the dawn. It was a symbolic gesture, an escape from the darkness that is depression. The walks began at 6am. They started in the East, starting from Torremolinos and ending up at Castillo Bil Bil. The walk ends with a celebration breakfast.

It’s still not the end of the year. Chris Grenfell is taking the long route. He just signed up for Darkness into Light, a 24-hour event that will see him hike and cycle from Marbella’s first peak to La Concha and back eight times. The massive feat has been moved to the weekend following so that it does not overshadow the event for the walkers.

‘This year I am attempting the sea-to-summit challenge, a hike to 1184m above sea level, starting from Cable Beach up to Cruz de Juanar and then cycling back from there to the coast to start again. This will have to be completed 8 times, as it is the equivalent of climbing the height of Everest.’

Chris invites others to join, perhaps not for the 8 climbs from Cable Beach. Contact him via his profile on Facebook. Christopher Grenfell.