Yesterday, on the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, The Baton of Hope suicide prevention charity confirmed the dates for its 2027 UK Tour.
From 1st September 2027, the world’s first physical symbol of mental wellbeing will start on its most ambitious journey to date.
Preparations are already underway to host the Baton’s arrival in Lancashire & South Cumbria on 23th September 2027
Sam Southern, Solace Suicide Prevention and Bereavement Strategic Manager here at Empowerment Charity, is leading the Baton of Hope initiative across Lancashire and South Cumbria in next year’s tour, following its impactful journey through Blackpool and the Fylde Coast in 2025. This ambitious event spans a 24-hour period, focusing on suicide prevention, intervention and mental health awareness. Facing mental health challenges, experiencing suicidal thoughts, and being bereaved by suicide is incredibly difficult, and no one should face it alone.
While the detailed plan for the day remains under wraps, communities will unite to symbolise hope and create a lasting legacy. The Baton will travel through the region using diverse transport options, supported by local events that emphasise collaboration and connection. This initiative underscores the importance of working together to ensure support is available across district lines, eliminating postcode disparities.
Suicide prevention is not the responsibility of a single individual, service, or profession; it’s a shared human duty. By responding with compassion, courage, and connection, circles of support can ensure that no one has to carry their pain alone. Prevention thrives on collaboration, relationships and shared responsibility.
Reflecting on her experiences, shares, “When suicide swept into my life in 2020, it was devastating. Carrying the Baton in 2023 restored my sense of belonging and gave me hope. This initiative brings suicide out of the shadows and creates lasting change.”
The area is one of 21 locations selected to take part in the relay around England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man throughout September and October next year.
In Lancashire and South Cumbria communities will unite to organise a day of activities and events to coincide with the Baton’s arrival connecting suicide prevention charities and mental health organisations as the Baton is passed from one person to another in a physical reminder of a shared responsibility.
In 2025 more than 1,000 Baton Bearers carried the embodiment of the charity’s name, with each Baton Bearer driven by their desire to change society’s attitudes to suicide.
Celebrities, sports personalities and politicians joining ordinary people made extraordinary by their courage and bravery in carrying the Baton on its way.
All were selected because of their personal stories of bereavement, or their lived experience of the impact of suicide.
The Baton of Hope is the charity’s physical symbol of hope carefully handcrafted by Thomas Lyte, a Royal Warrant holder as goldsmiths and silversmiths to His Majesty the King Charles III, and makers of the Emirates FA Cup and other exquisite trophies.
The 2027 campaign builds on the resounding success of previous Tours in 2025 and 2023 and marks the vital role the suicide prevention and awareness charity plays in saving lives
Mike McCarthy, Co-Founder & Chair of The Baton of Hope, said: “This is one of the most difficult subjects to talk about, but the Tour is as much about life and hope as it is about death and despair. Even if we bring just the smallest glimmer of hope to someone, we have opened a door.”
The online application process for the 2027 Baton Bearers also opens this week, on World Suicide Prevention Day, with details on how to apply on the charity’s website and social media.
Like Mike McCarthy, many are driven by the legacy of their loved ones. Mike lost his son Ross to suicide in 2021.
“Ross asked me in his goodbye letter if I would fight for mental health support, and use my voice as a journalist to make people listen. To me the greatest privilege, the greatest cause is to save a life.”
The Baton of Hope is a member of the National Suicide Prevention Network, an initiative launched by The Prince and Princess of Wales’ Royal Foundation, bringing together charities and organisations to help transform suicide prevention in the UK.
Following the success of the 2025 Tour, The Prince of Wales endorsed the charity’s work and in a letter to Mike, he wrote: “Together you have united people and communities across the UK to open up a national conversation on suicide.”
To speak to someone from the Lancashire & South Cumbria team for The Baton of Hope’s 2027 Tour, please contact:
Sam Southern
samantha.southern@empowermentcharity.org.uk
07414716496
2027 TOUR LOCATIONS LIST
- Aldershot (previously Hampshire)
- Bath & North East Somerset
- Birmingham
- Cardiff
- Doncaster
- Hertfordshire (previously Watford)
- Hull
- Isle of Man
- Kilmarnock & East Ayrshire
- Lancashire & South Cumbria (previously Lancashire)
- Lincolnshire
- Liverpool
- Luton
- Northumberland
- Northern Ireland
- Nottingham
- Oldham
- Plymouth
- Scottish Borders
- Sheffield
- Surrey (previously Reigate)
It’s been a cause that Mike McCarthy (pictured) has dedicated his life to for the last five and a half years. Fulfilling the plea his son Ross made in a letter to his family for Mike to use his talents and skills as a highly respected broadcast journalist to change attitudes to suicide.
At the start it was just two fathers reaching out in their grief. Mike McCarthy and Steve Phillip met on social media – each suffering unbearable loss but determined to create hope for others facing the despair their sons had faced. Together they became passionate advocates for change in UK suicide prevention policy.
From the spare room at his home in Sheffield, Mike pursued politicians and public figures campaigning tirelessly and shamelessly using his connections to garner publicity and drive the campaign forward, all the while grieving for Ross.
“I lost my beautiful son and like so many others I learned too late about the magnitude of suicide and the hundreds of thousands affected every year.”
Ironically he was now the journalist who became a news story with interviews and appearances on TV and radio.
The impetus led to a meeting with the then Health Secretary Sajid Javid MP in June 2022 when the two fathers secured Mr Javid’s endorsement and support for The Baton of Hope campaign announced on BBC Breakfast the following day.
It’s symbol, reminiscent of the Olympic torch forged in precious metals by the renowned silversmiths Thomas Lyte.
A year later the charity was born and in 2023 the first The Baton of Hope Tour set off. As Mike recalls: “It was a steep learning curve, things happened almost organically.”
Seen as its figurehead he was in demand.
As an award-winning correspondent he had reported on life-changing tragedies: Hillsborough, the London bombs, the Iran war. He was admired for his determination, empathy and integrity, always down to earth and with little ego. Although one colleague does recall a discussion over whether he should dye his hair as the first grey hairs appeared.
Today his hair is silver, and he remains a reluctant figurehead.
He will be at every location on the Tour pushing the “Stand Up to Suicide” message home, but like the physical symbol he is determined to pass on the responsibility.
“I want others to spread the message, anyone who has a story, a voice should be heard. This is not about me. It is about all the people coming together to prevent another needless death.”
There are plenty of ways to get involved, from supporting on the day, to creating and coordinating events in your local community, to becoming better informed about suicide prevention.
Big businesses and corporations, from Royal Mail to Oxford United F.C. are already signing up to the charity’s Workplace Pledge initiative to ensure they are equipped with the tools to recognise and help employees and colleagues with their mental health. But Mike and his charity want more.
Why do we need a workplace pledge?
- 700,000 deaths by suicide globally every year (Source: WHO)
- 14 million suicide attempts globally every year (Source: WHO)
- 19 deaths by suicide approximately in the UK every day (Source: House of Commons Library)
- Acute mental health conditions account for over 55% of all lost working days annually in the UK, excluding personnel who don’t admit actual cause due to continuing stigma (Source: Health & Safety Executive)
- 17 million working days lost annually in the UK at a cost of £56 billion to businesses (Source: Health & Safety Executive)
The cost to the bereaved immeasurable. The charity’s message simple.
“We are on a journey through 20 UK locations sparking honest conversations in all sectors of society from grassroots to the highest levels of government and big business.
Tragically none of us is immune to suicide and we all have a role to play whether we know it or not. Please help stand up to suicide.”
Published | September 2026