Suicide bereaved carry Baton of Hope through city

The Baton of Hope made its way though Leeds on Wednesday

Hundreds of people affected by suicide have come together in Leeds as part of a national campaign on World Suicide Prevention Day.

The Baton of Hope tour arrived in the city on Wednesday, with 84 baton bearers and their friends and family taking turns to carry it along a 15-mile (24km) route.

Set up in 2022 by Mike McCarthy and Steve Phillip, whose sons took their own lives, the Baton of Hope has become one of the UK's biggest suicide prevention initiatives.

"It brings solidarity to those that are bereaved by suicide and gives hope to those that are struggling," said Trudie Stringer, who lost her 25-year-old son Benjamin to suicide in 2020.

Ms Stringer said her son, who lived in Bramley, was unable to visit family in Leicestershire due to Covid-19 restrictions and was left "lonely and isolated".

Wearing a photo badge of her son, she said people should check on their friends if they notice any change in their behaviour.

"Just look after each other and open up," she said.

Trudie Stringer carried the baton in memory of her son Benjamin

Wednesday's baton route travelled through Armley, New Wortley and Holbeck before the baton arrived in Millennium Square in the city centre just after 12:00 BST.

It was later carried to St James's Hospital, through Wykebeck and into Gipton.

Kate Cleal, from Roundhay, carried the baton on its penultimate leg in memory of her daughter Lily, who died in 2013 aged 18.

"Lily was a beautiful, kind soul with a very full social life and big friendship group," Ms Cleal said.

"She sadly had a break-up with her boyfriend and, one day coming home from school, feelings overwhelmed her and she took her own life."

Kate Cleal carried the baton in her daughter Lily's memory

She continued: "At the time, suicide was the biggest killer of under 35s, and twelve and a half years later that's still the case.

"It's why it's important we have events like this."

According to the NHS, suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 50 and is the leading cause of death in the UK for 10-19 year olds.

Jill Brodie was walking in memory of her late husband Michael

Ms Cleal said: "We have got a really good dialogue going on now about mental health in a way it wasn't spoken about 12 years ago, and we need to extend that conversation to include talk about suicide."

Another baton bearer, Jill Brodie from Cleckheaton, was also keen for people to open up on the subject.

Walking in memory of her husband Michael, who took his own life last year aged 54, Ms Brodie said she and hundreds of others gathered in Millennium Square were in "the club that none of us wanted to be a part of".

"Let's get the word out there that there is hope and suicide isn't the answer," she said.

If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story you can visit the BBC Action Line for support.

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