Baton tour carries message of hope through Kent

Baton of Hope co-founder, Mike McCarthy, said the main cause of death for men under 50 and women under 35 was suicide

Dozens of people affected by suicide have carried an Olympic torch-style baton through Kent as part of a national campaign.

The Baton of Hope travelled through Medway, Maidstone, and Canterbury on Monday, ahead of an "evening of hope" at Dreamland Margate.

The baton first toured England in 2023, and Kent is among 20 areas it is visiting during the second tour.

The campaign aims to raise awareness of suicide prevention support and to encourage people to talk openly about mental health struggles.

More than 130 people carried the baton as it crossed the county.

The relay through Kent followed warm-up events in Folkestone and Sheppey on Sunday.

Baton of Hope co-founder, Mike McCarthy, said: "It's so important to realise that the main cause of death for men under 50 and women under 35 isn't illness or car accidents; it's suicide.

"This can be prevented and we are spreading a message of hope across Kent today."

The relay began in Gillingham and ends in Margate

Events began at 09:00 BST at the GlassBox Theatre in Gillingham, with later stops at Maidstone United Football Club, County Hall, and Canterbury Christ Church University.

Mental health campaigner Ben West spoke at an event at the university's Augustine House.

The baton's tour started in Blackpool on 1 September and will end in London on 10 October.

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