Baton tour carries message of hope on suicide

The Baton of Hope tour made its way through Scunthorpe on Monday

The Baton of Hope, described as one of the UK's biggest suicide prevention campaigns, has travelled through North Lincolnshire for the first time.

It arrived at British Steel's Scunthorpe site earlier and will travel across seven locations with the help of 120 baton bearers.

The nationwide campaign was started in 2022 by Mike McCarthy and Steve Phillip, whose sons took their own lives.

Baton bearer Charlotte Lister, 38, who said she lost her cousin to suicide eight years ago, said: "I don't think it is talked about enough. The stigma of mental health has gone but the stigma of suicide hasn't."

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Charlotte Lister also carried the baton through the Scunthorpe steelworks

Ms Lister added: "It's been quite emotional, there's a bit I was ready to cry," she said.

"There are so many ways you can get support if you need it."

Baton bearer Chris Harrison, 58, who is an emergency service manager at Scunthorpe Steelworks, said the day was "emotional".

Mr Harrison said he wanted to be part of the procession as his cousin died from suicide at the end of last year.

"She was very young," he said.

"When its touched you, it's more poignant for you."

Fifteen people took turns walking the baton across the British Steel site

The baton began its North Lincolnshire leg of the journey at British Steel before heading to several locations, including the the home of Scunthorpe United FC, North Lindsey College and the Humber Bridge.

After North Lincolnshire, Norwich will be the next stop on the baton's tour.

Co-founder of the campaign Mike McCarthy hopes the event will "prompt open conversations about suicide"

Mr McCarthy said his son had left a long letter, which addressed each family member.

"He said 'Dad, please fight for mental health, the support is just not there'.

"We should speak about it honestly, because if people don't talk about their emotional challenges, then they tend to bottle them up."

Mr McCarthy said the baton also provided a feeling of freedom.

"The relief of being able to say openly, I have lost somebody through suicide," he said.

"I have been through the darkest times. But I know that there is hope and we want to spread hope through this symbol."

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