i1fun will host one of Britain’s biggest suicide prevention initiatives when the Baton of Hope visits North Lincolnshire in September.
A registered charity, the Baton of Hope was formed by two 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 across the country take turns holding the baton as they walk (or run) a certain distance in their area. This year, the tour will take place in 20 different locations across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, starting in Blackpool on 1 September and ending in London on 10 October.
On the 15th September, the baton will visit North Lincolnshire and in partnership with North Lincolnshire Council Public Health, we are proud to say it will start its Scunthorpe area journey at our headquarters.
The event will begins at the Conference Centre when representatives of North Lincolnshire Council and members of the Baton of Hope will deliver speeches to highlight suicide prevention work. Then, the walk will begin at the flags outside the Administration Building before the baton visits selected parts of our site.
The baton will also make its way to other locations across the area, including Scunthorpe United’s ground, the Baths Hall and the Humber Bridge, in order to spread the message as widely as possible.
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.”
Find out more about the Baton of Hope.