Bondholders set to welcome Baton of Hope arrival

A number of Marketing Derby Bondholders are set to host events to mark the arrival of the Baton of Hope to the city.

As part of a UK wide tour, the Baton of Hope will be coming to Derby and Derbyshire on Saturday 13 September, carried by people who have been affected or bereaved by suicide.

The baton will be carried along a dedicated route, making stops along its journey.

The aim is to raise awareness and support those who are bereaved, affected by or passionate about suicide prevention.

The Baton of Hope’s mission is to encourage open conversations about mental health and suicide, with the aim of reducing stigma and instilling hope.

Claire Goring, the Baton of Hope Derby/Derbyshire organiser, whose father Rob took his own life, said: “The Baton of Hope Derby/Derbyshire 2025 day brings together many organisations, which are working to support people with their mental health, and also to remember those they may have lost to suicide.”

Derby’s will be the largest national event across the 2025 UK tour, with eight key event stops.

The Derby route begins at 7am, commencing from Elvaston Castle and concluding at 6.30pm at Cathedral Green in Derby.

The launch event at Elvaston Castle will include speeches from The High Sheriff of Derbyshire.

Its stops will include the University of Derby’s Kedleston Road campus, Derbyshire County Cricket Club, Derby County’s Pride Park Stadium and Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works.

Each stop will be hosting their own event centred around mental health.

There will also be a special exhibition taking place inside Derby City Council’s Derby Market Hall.

Exhibition of Hope showcases the work of local creatives, with a focus on the themes of hope, arts for health and wellbeing, alongside a colouring space for all ages to design a postcard of hope.

For a full list of events taking place on the day, visit https://batonofhopederbyderbyshire.co.uk/events.

The full route map for Derby/Derbyshire can be found here https://batonofhopederbyderbyshire.co.uk/overview.

The tour has been made possible through local fundraising. Businesses are invited to sign up and support via partnership packages.

All profits raised go directly towards organising the Baton of Hope tour and raising awareness of the growing tragedy of suicide in the UK.

For partnership opportunities, visit https://batonofhopederbyderbyshire.co.uk/partnership.