The annual Walk So Kids Can Talk fundraising event that takes place next month has a special significance for Sarah Fisher, star of the Canadian TV drama series Degrassi and spokesperson for Kids Help Phone.

鈥淚 was bullied when I was little, and whenever I think of kids coming into school being upset and being nervous, it just breaks your heart a little,鈥� she told 麻豆传媒 Channel.

To raise money for the Kids Help Phone hotline, people in communities across the country will join together on May 4 this year for Canada鈥檚 largest walk supporting child and youth mental health.

鈥淚t鈥檚 awful to imagine that people have to deal with (bullying) every day. They鈥檙e young, they should be enjoying life, and they should be making friends,鈥� she said.

That鈥檚 why Fisher sees Kids Help Phone as an important resource for youth to access anonymous counselling services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

鈥淜ids Help Phone is always there to support youth and to make sure that they know they always have someone to talk to,鈥� Fisher said. 

The annual family-friendly five-kilometre walk aims to benefit 6.5 million young people across the country between the ages of five and 20, by raising money to ensure that they have continued access to free and anonymous counselling services, day and night.

To get involved in the event, visit . For a list of locations, .

Once you鈥檝e registered, you can start fundraising and recruiting team members.

Here are a few tips to get you started:

  • Set a fundraising goal.
  • Create team incentives to reach your goals: buying your teammate a coffee, for example, or offering up your parking spot for the week.
  • Spread the word: Tell your family, friends and colleagues why you鈥檙e participating and why they should join.
  • Organize a bake sale at work: Consider treating your colleagues to homemade baked goods and coffee.

And if you can鈥檛 participate in the walk, you can still by selecting a team or individual to support, or donating directly to Kids Help Phone.

Bell Media is the event鈥檚 national media sponsor, and has been a supporter of Kids Help Phone for 25 years.