British Steel will host one of Britain’s biggest suicide prevention initiatives when the Baton of Hope visits Scunthorpe later this year.
On 15th September, the baton starts the North Lincolnshire leg of its journey at British Steel in Scunthorpe where representatives of North Lincolnshire Council and members of the Baton of Hope will deliver speeches to highlight suicide prevention work.
The baton will then go on to Scunthorpe United’s ground, the Baths Hall and the Humber Bridge, in order to spread the message as widely as possible.
Baton of Hope was formed by dads Mike McCarthy and Steve Phillip who lost their sons to suicide. Determined to create hope for others facing the despair their sons had encountered, they set up the Baton of Hope to raise awareness about the biggest killer of both men and women under the age of 35 in the UK.
Baton bearers from different locations nationwide take turns holding the baton as they walk as they run. This year, the tour will take place in 20 locations across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, starting in Blackpool on 1 September and ending in London on 10 October.
Martin Welch, Compliance and Occupational Health Manager, said: “We are very proud to be hosting such an event. “We hope our participation will provide colleagues with the courage and confidence to talk about their mental health and wellbeing, and increase knowledge and understanding of suicide prevention.”
