Baton bearers sought for suicide awareness tour

A council is searching for people who have been affected by suicide to apply to be baton bearers.

Herefordshire Council is urging people to sign up for the chance to be part of the Baton of Hope tour - a national suicide prevention initiative.

It will see a baton passed between baton bearers from 20 locations across the UK, beginning on 1 September in Blackpool.

"Becoming a baton bearer is a great opportunity for anyone who has been affected by suicide in any way to raise awareness and understanding – and to demonstrate that those suffering are not alone," said councillor Carole Gandy, cabinet member for adults, health and wellbeing.

"Suicide can affect anyone in any community, and we must do all we can to understand and help those who feel there is no other option for them."

Herefordshire is the penultimate location on the nationwide tour on 2 October. The tour ends in Wrexham on 4 October.

The Baton of Hope charity, which is behind the tour, aspires to a zero-suicide society and aims to see suicide and suicide prevention widely discussed.

The tour hopes to promote that message, inspire people, and spread the message that those suffering are not alone.

When the baton travels through Herefordshire, the route will "broadly follow" the Zipper bus route through Hereford City Centre, the council said.

Baton bearers would carry the baton through a designated section, between 200 and 500m long, at a steady walking pace.

Baton of Hope said a second individual could also hold the baton. However, one person would be the designated baton bearer, who must be holding the baton at all times.

Two additional people can accompany a baton bearer for each section of the route.

Those aged 16 and over can apply, and 16 and 17-year-olds must be accompanied by an adult.

Applications close on 31 March.

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