The Baton of Hope 2025 tour launches in Blackpool to spark national suicide awareness

The Baton of Hope UK tour 2025 was officially launched in Blackpool today (Thursday 19 June) on the town’s iconic Promenade in front of the world famous Tower – with the powerful and poignant announcement that the national tour will begin right here in Blackpool on Monday 1 September!

Baton of Hope founder and former TV broadcaster Mike McCarthy, the Solace Suicide Prevention & Bereavement Manager of Blackpool’s Empowerment Charity Samantha Southern, and local celebrity Charlotte Dawson were among the key figures and famous faces who have been instrumental in bringing this year’s Baton of Hope tour to take its very first steps in the resort this September, marking the beginning of a national movement to highlight suicide awareness and prevention.

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.

This year, one hundred local people will be walking with courage and love for those lost and those left behind as they carry the famous Baton throughout the inaugural Blackpool leg of the 2025 UK tour route, which will set off from the Village Hotel on Monday 1 September at 8.30am before being walked/driven/sailed and maybe even horseback ridden all the way through the resort, as well as through Fylde and Wyre!

The Baton will stop at local landmarks on the way – including Blackpool Football Club, the Piers, Blackpool Zoo and top spots in Lytham and Fleetwood, before travelling to the top of Blackpool Tower and finishing the day on Blackpool Grand Theatre’s famous stage. An evening celebration event will then take place at Viva Blackpool hosted by Charlotte Dawson and local radio star Hayley Kay.

A number of mini-hubs will also be available along the route which will offer opportunities to discover local services that can offer support for mental health, wellness, physical health and more. The tour will then continue its path across the UK, travelling the length and breadth of the country before the finale event in London on 10 October.

Founder Mike McCarthy brought the very Baton with him to the official launch that will be carried by people on the day and said of this year’s tour: “As a national charity we are proud to begin our tour of the UK in Blackpool.  We were so impressed with the quality of the town’s bid that it seemed like the obvious place to begin our 20 location event. Tragically Blackpool has a high suicide rate but the ‘strength of heart’ and the will to tackle this head-on is tangible.  One of our missions is to the smash the stigma and initiate open conversations about the extent and magnitude of suicide.  Blackpool shares our belief that the subject has been swept under the carpet for far too long and that we should stop treating it as ‘someone else’s problem.’

The local project lead for Baton of Hope in Blackpool is Samantha Southern who is the Solace Suicide Prevention & Bereavement Manager for Empowerment Charity - a Blackpool-based organisation working to support vulnerable individuals across the Fylde Coast. Having previously walked with the Baton in memory of her husband, Sam was determined to bring the initiative to her hometown.

She said: “I was inspired after walking with the Baton during the Manchester leg in 2023, alongside my sister Charlotte and my two youngest children. It was one of the most powerful moments of human connection I’ve ever experienced - I felt seen, I felt hope and for the first time in a long time, I knew I wasn’t alone. That same night, I called my CEO and said, ‘We’re bringing this to Lancashire.’ The Baton of Hope is the most impactful initiative I’ve seen for making suicide prevention everyone’s business, and I’m incredibly proud to be leading the first leg of the 2025 tour, with the support of Empowerment and Blackpool Council. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50, and young people under 35, and we can’t afford to look away. This event will be an incredible day for Blackpool, but more importantly, it’s about the legacy we build - a legacy of connection, understanding and lasting hope for our community.”

Mike Crowther MBE, CEO of Empowerment Charity, is a passionate advocate for lived experience, inclusion and creating lasting change through compassion and empowerment. Mike added: “We are incredibly proud to be hosting the Baton of Hope Tour 2025 here at Empowerment. This powerful initiative illuminates the vital importance of suicide awareness and prevention - issues that touch far too many lives in our community. Being part of this national movement is not only an honour, but a reflection of our unwavering commitment to supporting those who feel unheard, unseen or alone. Together, we can break the silence, challenge stigma and build a future where every life is valued.”

Councillor Jo Farrell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing at Blackpool Council, also took part in Thursday’s launch, along with several local impacted families bravely supporting the movement and highlighting the importance of prevention through shared stories - demonstrating the strength of community support behind the tour’s message of hope, remembrance and action.

Cllr Farrell said: “It is an honour for Blackpool to host the launch of the Baton of Hope 2025 tour. This powerful movement shines a vital light on suicide awareness and reminds us that behind every statistic is a real person, a grieving family and a community forever changed. Blackpool stands united in our commitment to building a future where no one feels they have to struggle alone."

Sam Southern’s sister is the television personality and social media star Charlotte Dawson who also lent her support to the Blackpool launch. Charlotte uses her media platform to encourage openness around mental health and suicide bereavement and said of the Blackpool tour. “Being part of the Baton of Hope movement is incredibly emotional but so important. We need to talk more, listen more and love more. I’m proud to stand beside this cause and help spread its message far and wide.”

As the Baton travels across the UK following its powerful Blackpool debut in September, 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.

For further information on Blackpool’s opening leg of the Baton of Hope 2025 UK tour please visit www.empowermentcharity.org.uk/thebatonofhope

If you would like to offer your support or donate some time or resources, please email batonofhope@empowermentcharity.org.uk

Bringing the Baton of Hope to Blackpool is funded entirely by donations and fundraising efforts, so Empowerment would love to invite everyone to join the Big Puddle Jump and spread ripples of hope one puddle at a time! Find a puddle and jump in! Be creative and have fun. Wear costumes, invite friends, or find unique puddles. Then donate £1 to the campaign before posting your video or photo on social media @empowermentcharity

“Each life lost to suicide sends ripples through families, friends and communities. Research shows that one suicide affects an average of 135 people.” says Sam.

“Through the Big Puddle Jump, we aim to create waves of hope, solidarity and change. Fundraising is essential to make sure these services are available to everyone who needs them.

Everything collected from your Big Puddle Jumps will go directly to the people needing our support, and to help bring The Baton of Hope 2025 to Blackpool - ensuring a lasting legacy for our town.”

For further information on the Big Puddle Jump and how to get involved please visit  The Big Puddle Jump - How It Works