Woman who lost dad to suicide brings baton to city

Claire Goring (left) said her dad's death came as a shock

A woman whose dad took his own life has said she wants to challenge the stigma and encourage people to ask for help.

Claire Goring lost her 52-year-old father Robert Pembleton in 2001 to suicide.

She will be joining other families bereaved by suicide to carry a Baton of Hope through various locations in the UK.

After being a baton bearer in Birmingham in 2023, Mrs Goring said it inspired her to bring the event to Derby for the first time.

The 45-year-old from Ilkeston said she and her dad were "very close", and his death came as a "real shock".

"When dad was alive and struggling, there just wasn't that support out there," said Mrs Goring.

"He had a bad back and had been redeployed from work. He just felt like he was useless. He didn't feel like he could stay."

'Start the conversation'

At the time of her dad's death, Mrs Goring said she felt suicide and mental health "really was stigmatised".

"Our aim as part of having the baton in Derbyshire is that we really want to promote everything that the county has on offer to support people," she added.

"You should just be able to talk to people and say, 'I'm actually struggling with this and I need a little bit of help'.

"But some people really do struggle to talk because they think they're going to be judged. And again, that's what we're trying to get across is our main aim was to start the conversation"

Claire Goring (right) joined by her mum and daughter, said she wanted to bring the Baton of Hope to Derby

This year, it will be Mrs Goring's mother Christine who will be carrying the baton on 13 September.

"When you can pass something on, and you feel like you're making a difference, even through that small act to somebody else as well, it's huge," said Mrs Goring.

"It's really important for me that she's carrying it this time.

"It's a real symbol when you're carrying it."

Mrs Goring carried the Baton of Hope in 2023 in Birmingham

The tour starts off at Elvaston Castle at 07:00 BST, before a group of motorcyclists will carry the baton to the University of Derby at 08:30.

From there, the baton will arrive on foot by baton bearers to Darley Park before being taken to Derbyshire County Cricket Ground.

Throughout the day, the baton will be taken to Ascot Drive Fire Station, train manufacturer Alstom, Florence Nightingale Hospital and Pride Park stadium.

As well as the tour, there will also be a series of events taking place on the day aiming to raise awareness, boost wellbeing, bring people together and provide signposting to mental health and wellbeing services available in the city and the wider county.

"There's a huge group of volunteers and organisations who have given so much time and energy to bringing The Baton of Hope to Derby," said Ms Goring.

"I do feel incredibly proud that we've been able to pull it all together."

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

The Baton of Hope will travel across different places in Derby on 13 September