WHITE Ribbon Coastal Walk organisers announced at Friday's launch they are expecting to double last year's participant numbers at this November's event.
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White shirts and big boys made for an interesting combination on Friday.
The men at Town Beach were some of the most well-known in the area from businesses and groups including JR Richards and Sons, Zonta/Rotary Craft Expo, Telstra and SNAP Printing.
Business leaders and muscled blokes were all there on Friday because of their shared desire to use their profiles to push the November 23 event, which aims to reduce and respond to domestic and family violence.
"We're involved in as much as we can be in the community, and White Ribbon is hugely important," Telstra licensee Teale Bryan said on Friday.
"Domestic violence is still something that's hidden, so we're involved to help raise the profile and get help to people who need it."
Organiser Kylie Dowse said she was pleased with the level of support from men and women at Friday's launch.
And the support of big men is crucial for the visibility of the cause.
"Big guys make it cool," Mrs Dowse said.
"It really is true: having (support from) muscly guys makes a lot of difference, and it gets people talking."
Members of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Domestic Violence Committee and the Domestic and Family Violence Service joined Port Macquarie MP Leslie Williams at the launch.
Mrs Williams announced $1000 in funding from a state government grant for the walk.
"These funds will assist the community to keep victims and their children safe, by raising awareness of local services they can access along with supporting at-risk perpetrators to seek help."
The local member congratulated the committee on the walk, which she said was a successful initiative that continued to grow.
Last year's walk featured about 500 people walking nine kilometres from Tacking Point and three kilometres from Flynns Beach to Town Green to raise awareness about family and domestic violence.
This year Mrs Dowse said more than 1000 people are expected to don their whites and walk on by some of Australia's most scenic coastline.
Organisers have even added a third starting point at Town Beach Kiosk, so those living with disability, injury, mobility impairments, and small children are able to join in.
On November 23, Tacking Point start will be at 8.30am, Flynns Beach at 9.30am and Town Beach at 10am.