'I didn't know he was suffering before suicide'

Caroline, pictured with her late husband Robert, will take part in the Baton of Hope relay in his memory

A widow preparing to take part in a relay event to raise awareness of suicide prevention said she had been unaware that her husband had been suffering in silence.

Caroline, along with her daughter Eva, is determined to make sure other families do not have to go through what they have endured since losing Robert in January 2023.

They are joining other families bereaved by suicide to carry a Baton of Hope through 20 locations in the UK, starting in Blackpool on 1 September.

Caroline, from Blackpool, said Robert's death had been "very unexpected" and described her late husband as "a very happy-go-lucky guy, always wanting to make everybody happy. We didn't know he was suffering - he didn't talk."

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.

According to the Baton of Hope charity, more than 6,300 people in the UK took their own lives.

The Baton of Hope tour will set off from the Village Hotel in Blackpool at 08:30 BST on 1 September, touring local landmarks including Blackpool Tower and Blackpool Zoo.

After continuing around the UK the baton relay will finish in London on 10 October.

Mary's family set up the Mary O'Gara Foundation following her death

Paul and Sharon O'Gara lost their 27-year-old daughter Mary to suicide in May 2020.

They have spoken about their experiences to raise awareness about some of the signs often exhibited by people contemplating suicide.

"One of the key signs for somebody who might be thinking about taking their own life is giving away personal possessions," said Paul, from Blackpool.

"Sadly, towards the last few weeks of Mary's life, that's what she did.

"If I knew at the time what I now know, we could have perhaps prevented losing Mary."

Sharon added: "One of the biggest things is that in this day and age nobody should have to die alone and without hope.

"That's why the Baton of Hope is such an important event."