'Amazing response' to suicide prevention tour

More than 130 people have applied to carry an Olympic torch-style baton through Kent as part of a suicide prevention campaign.

The Baton of Hope comes to the county on 22 September and will pass through Medway, Maidstone, Canterbury and Thanet as part of a nationwide tour.

A similar event was held around England in 2023, but this is the first time the baton tour has come to Kent.

Alice Scutchey, the event's Kent and Medway co-ordinator, said: "This campaign really speaks to people."

She said: "I never dreamed this many people would come forward to be baton bearers.

"It has been a really amazing response."

As well as raising awareness of suicide prevention support, the Baton of Hope campaign works to tackle suicide stigma by encouraging everyone to talk openly about mental health struggles.

Rob Brady, from Canterbury, will be carrying the baton in memory of his best friend.

He said: "I applied to carry the Baton of Hope in memory of Chris and for everyone who felt they couldn't say what they were really going through."

The Kent Speak Their Name memorial quilt, created in honour of those who have lost their lives to suicide, will be on display in Margate to coincide with the Baton of Hope Tour.

A warm-up event will be held in Folkestone on 21 September, where people can see the baton and find out about support services.

Overall, the 2025 Baton of Hope Tour will visit 20 locations around the country.

It starts in Blackpool on 1 September and ends in Wrexham on 4 October.

It passes through Hastings in East Sussex on 23 September.

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