The Chairman of Hart District Council has praised a Hook charity for its campaigning work after winning the right to host the Baton of Hope tour.
Baton of Hope is a national initiative that raises awareness of suicide and its impact by supporting hundreds of baton bearers as they travel around the country, spreading the message of prevention far and wide.
Inclusion Education has been named as the host of the Basingstoke leg of the tour on Thursday 25 September that takes in Odiham and Winchfield. The charity supports young people with mental health, neurodivergence and additional learning needs.
Councillor Chris Dorn said: “It’s fantastic that Inclusion Education has committed so wholeheartedly to support this important event. They have planned some very novel ways of carrying the baton, including canal barge and tractor! I hope as many people as possible will come along to support them and their message - each stop will mark a moment to raise awareness, remember those lost and spread a message of hope.”
The full itinerary for Hart is:
8am: The John Pinkerton barge at Colt Wharf, Odiham will set sail along Basingstoke Canal to Winchfield, symbolising how support can help navigate difficult waters.
9am: Arrival at the Barley Mow in Winchfield to carry on by tractor to Winfield station, highlighting the often-overlooked crisis of suicide in farming communities.
9.30am: Arrival at Winfield station to board the 9.44am train to Basingstoke to acknowledge those affected by suicide on railways and the trauma experienced by transportation workers.
For more information, visit https://batonofhopeuk.org