Big-hearted British boxing champion Brian Rose joined Baton of Hope founder Mike McCarthy and local celebrity Charlotte Dawson to officially kick off the BATON OF HOPE UK tour 2025 in Blackpool on Monday 1st September and spark vital national conversations about suicide prevention and awareness.
The first step of a momentous journey that will now cross the entire country began at 8.30am at Blackpool’s The Village Hotel thanks to the Solace Suicide Prevention & Bereavement Manager of Blackpool’s Empowerment Charity, Samantha Southern, who was instrumental in bringing this year’s Baton of Hope launch to the resort, marking the beginning of a national movement to help reduce the stigma of suicide.
Former British boxing light middleweight champion Brian Rose joined Baton of Hope founder Mike McCarthy to hand over the famous Baton to Claire Hickson – a dedicated nurse from Blackpool Victoria Hospital’s SWAN End of Life & Bereavement Team. Claire then began the emotional relay of 100 inspirational local people – each with their own story of love, loss and resilience in the face of suicide – who passed the Baton to each other as a symbol of hope throughout the whole of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. She said: “I felt truly honoured to take the first steps of the Baton of Hope UK tour 2025 and it has been an incredibly moving and important experience for everyone involved. I also stayed with the tour throughout the day to stand alongside those who are bereaved, to encourage open conversations, and to remind people that support is always available.”
The tour stopped at local landmarks and even travelled up to the top of Blackpool Tower, as well as visiting mental health support hubs along the way, as hundreds of families, friends and campaigners joined them along the route in solidarity to highlight the need for compassion and urgent action on mental health support.
The Baton of Hope tour then culminated in a powerful evening finale at the iconic Blackpool Grand Theatre, where television personality and social media star Charlotte Dawson received the Baton on stage for the final handover of the day. Charlotte, whose famous father was beloved local comedian Les Dawson and who is also the sister of Blackpool Baton of Hope project lead Samantha Southern, paid tribute to all those affected by suicide and pledged her support to continue spreading the Baton’s life-affirming message. The Baton of Hope will now continue its journey to raise awareness, encourage conversations and press for better mental health support and suicide prevention measures nationwide before the finale event in London on World Mental Health Day on 10th October.
The Baton of Hope was founded in 2022 by fathers Mike McCarthy and Steve Phillip, who were inspired by personal loss and are committed to changing the conversation around suicide, with the Baton first being carried through the streets of the UK in 2023 as a unifying symbol of remembrance, hope and the need for urgent action.
Speaking on the day, former TV broadcaster Mike McCarthy said: “The Baton of Hope UK is so honoured to have started its 2025 UK-wide tour in Blackpool, whose organisers have impressed the charity so much with their dedication to and passion for suicide prevention. The town still has a significantly higher suicide rate than the UK average but if we all work together we can change this and save lives. That begins with honest and open conversations and demolishing the stigma once and for all. Tragically no-one is immune from suicide but it is preventable and therein lies the hope. Please show you care by turning out to show support for our baton bearers throughout the rest of the UK tour and help us to bring about practical change and a more compassionate society.”
Boxing star Brian Rose added: “Being involved with Baton of Hope means a great deal to me. Raising awareness for suicide isn’t just important, it’s vital. Too many lives are lost in silence, and if by sharing this message I can help even one person find hope and keep going, then it’s worth everything. This cause is very close to my heart, having lost friends who were taken far too soon. If sharing my story and standing alongside this movement can help even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth every step. Together, we can break the stigma, open up conversations, and give people the hope they need to keep going.”
Brian (known as The Lion in the boxing world) is also a fierce advocate for promoting positive mental health in the community. He has established several community boxing groups that partner with schools and education centres across the Fylde Coast, providing support and engagement for local people. Rose also collaborates with organisations such as the Blackpool-based charity Empowerment, which aids vulnerable individuals in the local area and beyond. Through fundraising efforts, Empowerment has been able to deliver sessions through its Solace and Elliot’s Place hubs, significantly enhancing the wellbeing of those who took part.
Local lead for Baton of Hope and the Solace Suicide Prevention & Bereavement Manager for Blackpool’s Empowerment Charity, Samantha Southern, was determined to bring the initiative to her hometown having previously walked with the Baton in memory of her husband Glen, alongside her sister Charlotte. Sam said of the launch event: “What a day! From start to finish, it was an incredibly powerful experience, filled with hope, connection, and an overwhelming amount of support. The turnout was remarkable, so many people attended, volunteered, and dedicated their time for the launch of the Baton of Hope. Witnessing how everyone supported and uplifted one another throughout the day truly humbled me.
“These individuals have endured and continue to face dark times, but today, we brought the issue of suicide out of the shadows. We opened up difficult conversations and provided mutual support. I feel immensely grateful and blessed to have kicked off this tour. This serves as a poignant reminded that behind every story are real people. Moving forward, as a community, we stand united, hope is powerful, and today, it was palpable in every person present. They are the embodiment of hope and long may this continue.”
Mike Crowther MBE is CEO of Empowerment Charity, and is a passionate advocate for lived experience, inclusion and creating lasting change through compassion and empowerment. He added: “Blackpool and the Fylde Coast are places where hope endures, even through the toughest times. Our communities have shown remarkable resilience, and it’s deeply fitting that the Baton of Hope Tour 2025 began here. Those who carried the Baton across our towns represented the very best of our local community – compassionate, courageous, and committed to change. Their actions will now ripple outward, inspiring others and offering hope where it’s needed most.”
As the Baton now travels across the UK following its powerful Blackpool debut, it will visit major cities, towns and communities, sparking conversation and connection at every stop. Organisers hope it will not only honour those lost to suicide but also empower others to reach out, speak up and seek help. The Blackpool launch marks the beginning of a deeply meaningful national journey that will raise much needed awareness, foster open conversations and challenge the stigma surrounding suicide.
