'It's just not acceptable' This was not just any walk across Preston's Avenham and Miller Parks

More than 70 walkers gathered in Preston’s Avenham and Miller Parks to make strides against violence toward women and girls.

Lancashire walking and running clubs united to back the Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner's #getthemessage campaign.

The walk was timely - coming just before Attorney General Lord Hermer said there is “an epidemic of violence against women and girls in this country”, as he confirmed the controversially low sentences against three boys in the Fordingbridge rape case will be referred to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentence scheme. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the case as “distressing” and praised the “courage” of the victims who came forward.

The event in Preston was hosted by Girls Who Walk Preston and Girls Who Walk Chorley. More than 70 people set off at 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday from Avenham and Miller Parks starting and finishing at the Belvedere (flagpole). It also involved crossing the newly opened Tram Bridge.

One of those doing more than getting her steps in was Grace Gudgeon, the founder and director of Girls Who Walk Preston, who organised the event.

Grace said: “ I think for us as a walking group we hear these stories everyday about how unsafe people feel especially the women and girls and non-binary people who come to our group, even out and about during the day, let alone at night on their own.”

“It’s just not acceptable. Working in the violence against women and girls space as well I think that kind of drives my passion for it. We never set out to be campaigners or do anything in this space but its just so important and we have kind of accidently fallen into this space because we are a community that kind of empowers women and tries to keep them safe.”

Walker Dani Wallace, herself a domestic violence escapee and from Preston, said: “Even on this walk there have been cat calls and people flying past on bikes and shouting things. It’s unacceptable.”

Gemma Morris, from Preston and South Ribble Ladies Circle, also took part in the walk. She said: “I feel like it’s vital now that we get this message out there for young boys and men.

“I came to Lancashire through a refuge myself and my two children at the time, we decided to stay in Lancashire, so we have been probably through the worst trauma you could possibly think of to get to here to safety. Now we are in a position where my children are now growing up and they are wanting to go out into the community and it scares the absolute living daylights out of me.

“They are daughters and, girls, they want their own independence ,but it frightens the life out of me putting them out into the community.”

She then went on to say how walks and groups like this can help as people can have “real conversations”. “It’s where women feel safe to disclose information that you necessarily wouldn’t like have a conversation with your friends, or your family, maybe you think that you’d be judged.

“You could go to one of these groups and meet complete strangers and feel safe enough to disclose that information because no one is going to judge you. These groups are vital for the safety of women.”

The walk follows a Lancashire-wide survey of more than 4,500 women and girls which found 93% modify their daily behaviour to avoid danger, 91% cross the street to avoid men, and 78% have felt unsafe in the past year.

It also comes just weeks after the Protection from Sex-based Harassment in Public Act 2023 came into force on 1 April 2026, creating a specific offence of intentional harassment because of a person's sex, with a maximum sentence of two years' imprisonment.

Looking to the future, organiser Grace cites the “power of community” as a force to help bring walking, running and community groups together.

She said: “We’ve got another sponsored event coming up in August where we will be raising money for Lancashire women, we hope that all the organisations come out for that. I think these should be a regular occurrence really not only is it highlighting the #getthemessage campaign but it’s also highlighting what groups and services are available for women and girls across Lancashire.”

While it is hard to make that first step, Grace explains how important and beneficial it is to find a group or community.

She said: “The people that these groups attract are there for the same reason as you, they want to make friends, they want to get out in their community. If you’re not feeling up to it you’re ‘re not sociable and you just want to get out of the house no-one will look down on you for coming and walking with us. The majority of our girls come solo to all of our events and walks, same for all the other groups.

“If we’re not the group for you we will help you find the group for you because there are so many popping up around Lancashire, and we really just want everyone to find their safe space.”

She added: “ “This is about more than one group or one voice - it’s about all of us across Lancashire coming together, standing united, and showing that we care deeply about the safety and experiences of women and girls. The more of us who show up, the stronger that message becomes.”

• To find out more about the campaign, visit www.getthemessage.uk and follow @getthemessage_ on Instagram