West Midlands Metro is set to play a leading role in a campaign that’s saving lives across the country when it carries an inspiring ‘Baton of Hope’ through Birmingham city centre next week.
Suicide is the UK’s biggest killer of men and women under the age of 35, and a national baton relay is at the heart of an initiative to raise awareness of the issue and bring about change in the approach to suicide, how we talk about it and how those affected by it are supported.
The baton, and supporters of the campaign, are currently touring towns and cities across the UK, and they will be hitching a ride on a tram for one of the last legs of their visit to Birmingham on Monday, July 3.
Sophie Allison, Metro’s Interim Managing Director, explained: “We are delighted to be able to support the Baton of Hope by welcoming it onto our tram as it travels through the city, and we’re wholeheartedly behind the campaign’s aspirations for a zero-suicide society.
The baton will be carried onboard a tram between Bull Street and Grand Central stops at around noon on Monday, giving customers and the public a chance to see for themselves a beautifully crafted symbol of the fight against needless suicides.”
More than just a stunning blend of precious metals, everything about the baton’s design represents a journey of hope – of moving bravely away from the darkness of despair and, with encouragement and support, discovering a way into the light and a brighter future.
It is part of the biggest suicide awareness and prevention initiative the UK has ever seen, and further information about the campaign can be found here
