A LEGACY of hope was left across Cumbria as the Baton of Hope made its way through the county for the first time ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day.
Those who took part on Sunday want the message of hope and resilience to be felt long after the Baton of Hope’s UK tour ends next month.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) is World Suicide Prevention Day and local organisers of the Baton of Hope’s Cumbria leg say that if just one life is saved by their efforts they’ve made an impact.
The Baton of Hope completed its first-ever tour of Cumbria – an emotional day of courage, connection and community resolve which began at Forth and the Sellafield Ltd Engineering Centre of Excellence at Leconfield, Cleator Moor, and continued via Goodlives at Westlakes Science Park, Whitehaven, Bassenthwaite, Penrith and Carlisle.
Forth Projects Director Graham Cartwright and Business Liaison Manager Ken Johnston were part of the Cumbria Baton of Hope committee alongside Lisa Birdsall and partners across the county. Forth’s involvement stemmed from a first-hand tragedy. In 2016 the team lost one of their own, Stuart McKenzie, to suicide.
Graham said: “Stuart was in my thoughts throughout the day, and his loss is the reason both Forth and I became involved in bringing the Baton of Hope to Cumbria.
“Losing Stuart showed us, firsthand, the profound impact suicide can have – we all felt his absence deeply. He left work smiling, and then he was simply gone. We can only try to understand what his family went through.
“And just last year, another former colleague died by suicide, reminding us again how urgent this issue is.
“Suicide rates here are alarmingly high. I hope that everything people saw and heard on Sunday encourages more open conversations about suicide. If you’re struggling, please, reach out to someone.”
On Sunday, Ken was the Lead Guide and also carried the Baton for two consecutive legs between Brunton Park and Harraby Community Centre. Ken said: “It was an honour to be asked to take on this role. I felt a strong emotional connection to the baton bearers throughout the day, probably due to my own personal journey into mindfulness. Despite how I may appear on the exterior, I am very empathetic.
“On Sunday, there were a number of occasions that I shed tears and also felt the pain carried by many of the baton bearers. Each one of them carried a story of personal loss, and it was important to me to offer support and encouragement. I hugged the majority of them prior to the exchange of the baton and, believe my words of comfort and actions helped to pass on a message of hope.
“At Forth, we recognise that suicide rates in the county are alarmingly high. That’s why Graham and I have been given the green light by the company to dedicate our time to promoting the Baton of Hope and bringing it to Cumbria for the first time. Our commitment to the charity goes beyond this initiative; we will continue to support and amplify their message of hope.”
At Goodlives, another charity supported by the Forth team, the Baton paused for reflection in a new community space created to help people remember, talk and find comfort at their own pace. Karen Jones, Managing Director of Goodlives, said: “Being part of the Baton of Hope tour felt deeply personal for us. Two of our team members lost loved ones to suicide last year, so we wanted to do something meaningful – to reach out to others who’ve been through the same experience.
“That’s why we created the Reflection and Hope Garden: a space for remembrance and reflection, where people can feel their feelings in their own time. There are special features like a wind phone to speak unspoken words, a post box for letters that will be returned to the earth through composting, and stones where names can be written and left.
“We hope people visit, see the value in it, and find comfort as the garden changes with the seasons. More broadly, we want to remove the stigma around suicide and show that there is hope, and there is help. Nobody should go through this alone. If we can reach even one person, that will have been enough.”
Lisa Birdsall played a pivotal role in bringing the Baton of Hope to Cumbria as part of this year’s national tour. Her determination and commitment were driven by personal loss, as she lost her brother Stephen to suicide.
“What brought me to be part of the Baton of Hope is losing my brother to suicide, and seeing many others lost to suicide. That pain can be a powerful motivator for change. I’m not the only one going through this in Cumbria – everyone here has a story, and together our voices are amplified.
“I’m really looking forward to the good that comes from the Baton of Hope, I want to see suicide rates drop.”
Sunday’s tour followed the planned 7.30am–7.30pm itinerary across West, East, and North Cumbria, with community partners supporting along the route. Forth’s role included logistics on the day and coordination support in the run-up as part of the county committee. Updates and ways to support Baton of Hope Cumbria are available at batonofhopecumbria.co.uk.
