Norfolk dad joins 'Baton of Hope' tour to raise awareness about suicide prevention
The Baton is in Manchester as part of of a national tour - as a physical symbol of hope for those affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts.
Last updated 29th Jun 2023
A Norfolk dad has joined the Baton of Hope tour - the biggest suicide prevention initiative the UK has ever seen.
The event is in Greater Manchester, as part of a national tour of 12 cities starting in Glasgow and finishing up in London.
The tour's aim is to highlight the suicide crisis in the UK which sees 17 people take their own lives every day.
Tim Owen from Shouldham, who lost daughter Emily in 2020, is in the city today as part of the 3 Dads Walking ground.
Fellow member Mike Palmer is collecting the Baton at Media City.
It is then expected to arrive at Old Trafford between 9am and 9:30am. Where it will be met by Premier League representatives.
It will then be collected by a team of runners who will transport it from the home of Manchester United across the city to The Etihad Stadium. Arriving around 10:30am.
From Manchester City's stadium the Baton will be travelling around the city visiting the National Cycling Centre.
It will then head up Oxford Road passing the Whitworth Art Gallery and The University of Manchester, finishing at St Peters Square at 3pm.
Mike McCarthy is the founder of the Baton of Hope charity, which was set up after the death of his son. He said, "He left a long farewell letter, and within that letter he said 'please fight for mental health, the support is just not there'".
"Once I got back on my feet it galvanised me into action".