Royal recognition for suicide prevention charity

Mike McCarthy co-founded the Baton of Hope campaign after the death of his son

A charity set up by two men whose sons took their own lives has been invited to be a part of Prince William's National Suicide Prevention Network.

The Baton of Hope campaign was set up by Mike McCarthy, from Sheffield, and Steve Phillip, from Harrogate, in 2022 and now holds events around the country to remember those lost to suicide.

Earlier this week, it was announced the Prince of Wales would contribute £1m through the Royal Foundation to develop the network.

Mr McCarthy said receiving royal recognition for the charity's work "means a huge amount", and had given the charity and its volunteers "a huge boost".

He praised the prince for launching the new network, which he said "represents a sea change and a real turning point" for suicide prevention.

"Not so many years ago hardly anyone was talking about suicide prevention or suicide generally, it was brushed under the carpet for generations," he said.

While full details of how the scheme would work were still unknown, Mr McCarthy said his charity, along with others, would be trying to understand why suicide numbers in the UK "have stayed so stubbornly high and what we can do to bring those figures down".

According to the NHS, suicide is the biggest killer of people under the age of 35 and the biggest killer of men under the age of 50.

It is also the leading cause of death in the UK for 10-19 year olds.

The network will also encourage more collaboration between different suicide prevention agencies and charities and "allow them to speak with one voice", said Mr McCarthy, who lost his 31-year-old son, Ross, in February 2021.

"We have got our own ideas about how we can help bring things forward."

The Baton of Hope has made its way across the country over the last month

The charity's invitation to take part in the network came as their Baton of Hope tour concluded in London on Friday, which Mr McCarthy described as a "fitting finale".

Across 40 days, more than 1,300 people personally affected by suicide took turns to carry a specially made baton through 20 towns and cities across Great Britain and Northern Ireland to remember their loved ones and raise awareness of suicide prevention.

"It's a great message of support and endorsement for them," Mr McCarthy added.

In a letter penned to the charity, Prince William praised the Baton of Hope tour for its "vital message of hope and optimism across our nation".

He wrote: "Together, you have united people and communities across the UK to open up a national conversation on suicide."

Mr McCarthy said taking part in the tour had allowed him to feel closer to his late son.

"Ross asked me in his goodbye letter if I would fight for mental health support.

"I'm just so privileged and proud to be able to say to him 'This is what you wanted', and I'll never stop."

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