ACCRINGTON, LANCASHIRE — Following a highly successful inaugural event in Rossendale last year, Positive Action in the Community (PAC) is bringing its flagship fundraising walk, Light Up The Hills, to Accrington. The seven-mile trek, designed to spark vital conversations around mental health and youth homelessness, will take place on Saturday, 26 September 2026. For the second consecutive year, Lancashire-based BlueRockIT is proudly sponsoring the event.
Held during World Suicide Prevention Month, the three-hour evening challenge offers participants an unforgettable experience of community, connection, and support. The walk will feature a special torch-lit moment of reflection at the summit, highlighting the importance of bringing mental health struggles out of the dark.
“We are looking for individuals and teams from businesses of all sizes that want to join us on the walk,” said Leroy Philbrook, Partnership and Community Engagement Manager at PAC. “So many of us are affected by mental health challenges for ourselves or loved ones, and we all need to walk together to help make discussing mental health as normal and easy as discussing physical health.”
Pete Sims, a Director from BlueRockIT, echoed this sentiment. “We are proud to be sponsoring the Light Up The Hills walk again this year. We want to do our part to make sure that everyone is talking about mental health in a positive way. There should be no stigma if someone has depression or other mental health challenges. Nobody would act negatively towards someone with a broken leg, and we think that mental health should not be any different. If we can play a small part in bringing the discussion to the forefront, then we are happy to do that.”
Delivered in partnership with Abigail’s Trails, whose qualified mountain leaders champion community and wellbeing, the route will begin at the Tiger Lounge in Accrington at 5:00 pm, passing through Baxenden and The Coppice before returning. Funds raised will directly support PAC’s essential services across East Lancashire, including counselling and supported accommodation for those impacted by homelessness, domestic abuse, and poor mental health.
Participants are encouraged to raise £100, which earns them a free event t-shirt. Dogs on leads are welcome, and under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Advance booking is essential. Registration can be completed at https://www.p-a-c.org.uk/events/.
About BlueRock IT
Launched in 2018, BlueRockIT provides proactive, outsourced IT support, services, and cyber security for businesses across Lancashire. Operating from the Blackburn Technology Management Centre, the dynamic team of six prides itself on being agile, adaptable, and genuinely connected to clients, ensuring rapid and personal responses.
About Positive Action in the Community (PAC)
Established in 1997, PAC is a local registered charity dedicated to supporting individuals affected by youth homelessness, domestic abuse, and poor mental wellbeing. Through projects such as supported accommodation, community-based support, counselling, and educational training, PAC empowers people across East Lancashire to build emotional resilience and live safe, independent, and aspirational lives.