Baton of Hope comes to Brixham

What an incredibly emotional, uplifting, and, most of all, important day watching the Baton of Hope Torbay move through Brixham yesterday.

Inspired by the Olympic torch relay, the Baton of Hope aims to raise awareness of mental health, support options, and honour those lost to suicide.

Yesterday, as it travelled through Torquay, Paignton, and Brixham, more than 100 people, including those bereaved by suicide and survivors, carried the baton.

The day started off at the Lyceum Theatre, where we spoke about the heartbreaking impact suicide is having on the Torbay area. Around 20 people are lost to suicide each year here, 10 more than the national average. We must do more to support those around us.

When I met up with the baton again, it was moving through Brixham. Before it arrived, I had a great chat with A Kick Up The Arts and the Fishermen's Mission Devon about the amazing work they do.

As the baton moved down Fore Street, the pirates came out, following the baton as it travelled past Rockfish and into Brixham Harbour where the RNLI was waiting to carry the baton back to Torquay Hope Hub in Princess Gardens.

Watching the ship pull away, with survivors or those bereaved by suicide onboard, was an unbelievably moving site and a reminder that even in the darkest times there is still a glimmer of hope.

Thank you to all the Baton of Hope organisers for putting on such an amazing event.