The Baton of Hope UK Tour 2023: when it is coming to Newcastle and where to see it & full list of locations

The Baton of Hope UK Tour will be coming to Newcastle this month as part of its journey across the nation. Throughout its journey the baton will be visiting 12 cities beginning in Glasgow and coming to a close when it reaches Downing Street two weeks later.

The organisers of the event hope to help thousands of people along the way, and raise awareness for those affected by suicide as well as prevention initiatives. The event website says they have a clear and simple message: “Where there is hope, there is a real opportunity to save lives.”

Carried by notable personalities, leaders, and people with their own inspiring stories of hope, the Baton of Hope will be marked by a packed events schedule giving local communities, organisations, and neighbouring towns a chance to get involved. Mike McCarthy and Steve Phillip made contact following the deaths of their sons, Ross and Jordan, to suicide. Steve Phillips said: “We were brought together through tragic circumstances – two fathers sharing common grief.

“Each wanting to make a difference, and determined that the death of our sons should not be in vain.  Through our friendship, we recognised that by creating unity of purpose we could shake things up and create a movement that we hope will stop so many people taking their own lives.”

So, when is The Baton of Hope tour coming to Newcastle? Here’s everything you need to know including a full list of UK routes and dates.

The Baton of Hope UK Tour 2023 - Newcastle route

The first Baton-bearer will set out on foot from Northumberland Park on June 27. Here’s everything you need to know about when and where The Baton of Hope will be in Newcastle:

• Start - Northumberland Park (8:00am)
• Spanish City, Whitley Bay (8:45am - 9:15am)
• A Trio of Supercars - (9:15am - 10:05am)
• The FA - Blue Flames Sports Ground (10:05am - 11:05am)
• Millfield House (12:15pm - 1:00pm)
• Ouseburn (1:30pm - 2:15pm)
• Sage Music Centre, Gateshead (2:35pm - 3:15pm)
• Grey’s Monument (3:40pm - 3:55pm)
• Newcastle University (4:10pm - 4:55pm)
• Royal Victoria Infirmary (5:10pm - 5:45pm)
• Finish - St James’s Park (6pm - 7:15pm)

The Baton of Hope UK Tour 2023 - routes and dates

Here is the full list of places the baton will start from in each city including the date and time it will be there.

• Dassie Park, Glasgow - June 24, 2023 - 8:05am
• Holyrood Park, Edinburgh - June 25, 2023 - 10am
• Northumberland Park, Newcastle - June 27, 2023 - 8am
• Hillsborough Stadium, Sheffield - June 28, 2023 - 8:05am
• Manchester - June 29, 2023
• Queen’s University, Belfast - June 30, 2023 - 8am
• Castle Green, Cardiff - July 1, 2023 - 8am
• SS Great Britain, Bristol - July 2, 2023 - 10am
• Alexander Stadium, Birmingham - July 3, 2023 - 8:30am
• Milton Keynes Rose, Milton Keynes - July 4, 2023 - 8:05am
• Peace Statue, Brighton - July 5, 2023 - 8am
• Emirates Stadium, London - July 6, 2023 - 8am

How to get involved

The Baton of Hope has fast become the biggest campaign for suicide prevent, and is the only one of its kind. The initiative has been endorsed by a number of public figures including the late Queen Elizabeth II. The website says: “We aim to make the Baton of Hope UK Tour as inclusive as possible, with opportunities for people and organisations to get involved whether they are based near the physical route of the Baton or participating ‘virtually’ via the available online and social media channels. If this is something that you or your organisation should be involved in, then please get in touch.”