Music stars, sporting heroes, Olympians and royalty are all backing the UK’s largest ever suicide prevention initiative that begins this morning.
The Baton of Hope tour kicks off in Glasgow with an Olympic-style torch being carried by survivors, bereaved households and a bunch of acquainted faces decided to vary the nationwide dialog round suicide.
Norman Cook, aka Fatboy Slim, shall be a part of the leg by means of his dwelling metropolis of Brighton.
Olympic champion bike owner Chris Boardman, Sheffield Wednesday and Wales International Will Vaulks, former Downing St spokesman Alastair Campbell and psychological well being campaigner Dr Alex George are simply a few of the hundreds of individuals participating within the tour.
The Royal Family can be anticipated to be represented on the tour – Zara Tindall has already spoken of her assist for the initiative.
Baton of Hope was based by Mike McCarthy, a former Sky News correspondent, who misplaced his personal son Ross two years in the past, and a bunch of different bereaved households and survivors of suicide.
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Vaulks mentioned: “The reason I wanted to get involved with the Baton of Hope is because at the age of 13 I lost my Grandad Tom to suicide and then 18 months later I lost my other Grandad Hywel again to suicide.
“I have first-hand experience of the impact this has on the families of these so dearly loved ones and I feel privileged to be invited to help spread a message of hope to as many people as possible so that ultimately we can save lives that are tragically taken by suicide.
“Mental well being actually wasn’t spoke about after I misplaced my grandads, despair was about the one phrase used.”
The 29-year-old added: “We have come a long way since then but we have so far to go as we are still losing a devastating amount of young and old, men and women to suicide.
“It’s the primary time I’ve spoken publicly about my grandads however I really feel the time is true and I’m able to be part of this trigger. Let’s change the narrative on suicide and assist save lives, in order that households like mine and Mike’s do not should lose any extra family members.”
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The tour will go to a few of the UK’s finest recognized landmarks throughout 12 cities together with a few of the nation’s best-known sporting venues.
Villa Park in Birmingham, Bramall Lane and Hillsborough in Sheffield, Arsenal’s Emirates stadium, the Cardiff City stadium and St James’ Park in Newcastle are simply a few of the venues internet hosting occasions on the tour.
Many places shall be open to the general public who’re inspired to make use of it as a chance to debate psychological well being and discover out what sensible steps they’ll take to assist stop suicide.
Alongside the baton route, workshops in suicide prevention and first help coaching classes shall be held in a few of the host cities.
The tour is scheduled to finish on 6 July with the Baton of Hope being taken alongside the river Thames and thru well-known landmarks within the capital earlier than it ends its journey in Westminster.
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can name Samaritans for assistance on 116 123 or e mail [email protected] within the UK. In the US, name the Samaritans department in your space or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Source: information.sky.com”