Suicide awareness relay to come to county in 2025

The Baton of Hope was taken to 10 Downing Street in July 2023 as part of its first tour around the UK

A charity event that brings people together in memory of those who have lost their lives to suicide will come to Hampshire next year.

The Baton of Hope will arrive in Basingstoke on 25 September 2025 after a charity based in the town won the right to host it.

Inclusion Education was named a host after a "rigorous application process" and a member of its staff was involved in the baton's 2023 inaugural tour.

It will start its 2025 tour in Blackpool on 1 September, before ending in London on 10 October. It will also tour Portsmouth on 26 September.

Inclusion Education supports support young people with mental health, neurodivergence and additional learning needs.

Its innovation and development director Marie Greenhalgh said she was "honoured" that Basingstoke would be involved with the tour.

Marie Greenhalgh lead the charity's campaign to bring the baton to Basingstoke

"As a baton bearer from the 2023, I was so moved by the experience, people I met and stories behind why people were involved, that I knew this was something we had to bring to Basingstoke," she said.

"Working at Inclusion Education with young people experiencing complex mental health challenges, neurodiversity and other learning needs, I know first-hand the difficulties they face, which can often leave them feeling lonely, isolated and separated from the community around them."

The Basingstoke baton route will include the Basingstoke Canal, train station and a variety of other town landmarks.

Each of the stops there will include a range of activities, including music, dance and theatre.

Inclusion Education is appealing for volunteers and supporters for the event to get in touch.