Hampshire to Host Suicide Awareness Relay in 2025

An upcoming charity event, designed to unite individuals in remembrance of those who have died by suicide, is scheduled to take place in Hampshire next year. The Baton of Hope is set to arrive in Basingstoke on 25 September 2025, after a local charity successfully secured the right to host it. Inclusion Education was designated as a host organization following a “rigorous application process,” and a member of its staff had previously participated in the baton’s inaugural tour in 2023. The 2025 tour is slated to commence in Blackpool on 1 September and conclude in London on 10 October. It will also include a stop in Portsmouth on 26 September. Inclusion Education provides support to young people dealing with mental health challenges, neurodivergence, and additional learning needs. Marie Greenhalgh, the innovation and development director for Inclusion Education, expressed that she was “honoured” by Basingstoke’s involvement in the tour. She stated, “As a baton bearer from the 2023, I was so moved by the experience, people I met and stories behind why people were involved, that I knew this was something we had to bring to Basingstoke.” Greenhalgh further elaborated, “Working at Inclusion Education with young people experiencing complex mental health challenges, neurodiversity and other learning needs, I know first-hand the difficulties they face, which can often leave them feeling lonely, isolated and separated from the community around them.” The planned route for the baton in Basingstoke will encompass the Basingstoke Canal, the local train station, and various other notable landmarks within the town. Each designated stop along this route is expected to feature a diverse array of activities, including music, dance, and theatre performances. Inclusion Education is currently seeking volunteers and supporters for the event and encourages interested individuals to get in touch. For further information and updates, you can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not accountable for the content of external sites. Details regarding our approach to external linking are accessible.