The world’s first physical symbol of mental wellbeing will be taking to the streets once more as part of the UK’s largest suicide prevention campaign.
The Baton of Hope will be carried the length and breadth of the UK continuing its mission to “Stand Up To Suicide”.
Twenty-one locations have been selected after a rigorous process conducted by the charity The Baton of Hope which organises the biennial event. It involves stops at locations around England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The 2027 campaign builds on the resounding success of previous Tours in 2025 and 2023 and marks the vital role the suicide prevention and awareness charity plays in saving lives.
Mike McCarthy, Co-Founder of The Baton of Hope, said: “We stage the event every two years and 2027 will see our third national Tour. We have been astounded by the profound engagement generated by the Tours and witnessing just how warm and positive the reaction is from the places we visit.
“We bring suicide prevention out of the shadows and into everyday conversation. From urban locations to rural spots, and everywhere else in between, the Baton has and will continue to travel through places like these to give everyone a voice about suicide prevention and awareness.”
The Baton of Hope is a member of the National Suicide Prevention Network, an initiative launched by The Prince and Princess of Wales’ Royal Foundation, bringing together charities and organisations to help transform suicide prevention in the UK.
Following the success of the 2025 Tour, The Prince of Wales endorsed the charity’s work and in a letter to Mike, he wrote: “Together you have united people and communities across the UK to open up a national conversation on suicide.”
In 2027, Mike McCarthy and thousands of volunteers, celebrities, politicians and sporting legends will set out on a new journey to spread information and a message of hope throughout the UK in the biggest suicide prevention initiative to take to the streets.
At each location, communities will unite to organise a day of activities and events to coincide with the Baton’s arrival connecting suicide prevention charities and mental health organisations as the Baton is passed from one person to another in a physical reminder of a shared responsibility.
The iconic embodiment of the charity’s name, the handcrafted Baton of Hope will be carried by a procession of local Baton Bearers selected because of their personal stories of bereavement, their lived experience or their desire to change society’s attitudes to suicide.
Like Mike McCarthy, many are driven by the legacy of their loved ones. Mike lost his son Ross to suicide in 2021.
“Ross asked me in his goodbye letter if I would fight for mental health support, and use my voice as journalist to make people listen,” Mike explained. “I’m just so privileged and proud to be able to say to him ‘This is what you wanted’, and I’ll never stop.”