Across Derby County Football Club and Community Trust, we are proud to be partnering up with the local committee for the Baton of Hope Derby and Derbyshire. 

‘The Baton Of Hope’ was devised by a suicide prevention charity as a parallel icon to the Olympic torch – but one that celebrated mental rather than physical wellbeing.

In 2025, the Baton will be carried across the UK and will come to Derby and Derbyshire as one of the successful bidders chosen to host a one-day leg of the tour. A range of events will take place across the city, in addition to the Baton procession.

Suicide survivors and those bereaved by suicide are being offered the chance to help carry the baton in honour of their own survival or in memory of a lost loved one. There will also be opportunities for stallholders, entertainment, acts, crafts and activities to be held at the stops along the way. 

Claire Goring and Luke Oldham are Project Leads for the local stage. 

Claire said: “Words cannot express how we feel about the importance of highlighting the long-overlooked issue of suicide. It is the biggest killer of men under 50 and women under 35 and there has been no improvement in the statistics for 17 years.”

Luke added: “Bringing the Baton of Hope to Derby and Derbyshire will significantly raise awareness and help to remove the stigma surrounding suicide - which prevents so many from asking for help.”

Derby County were keen to lend their support to the campaign, with the Community Trust already delivering a range of sessions and activities aimed at improving people’s mental wellbeing. The football club also recognises its key position in raising awareness amongst the local community.

Simon Carnall, Chief Operating Officer at Derby County, said:

“We’re so pleased to see that the Baton of Hope will be visiting our local communities this year. As a football club we know how important it is to use our place within the city to share important messaging, and we’re fully behind the Baton of Hope campaign and what it hopes to achieve.”

There are still opportunities for applications from Baton Bearers, which can be submitted through the charity’s website: https://batonofhopeuk.org/become-a-baton-bearer/.

You can find more information about the local event, partnerships and fundraising opportunities and much more on the local website batonofhopederbyshire.co.uk or their social media @batonofhopederbyshire.

For more information please contact the local volunteer committee on batonofhopederbyshire.co.uk/contact.