People in Oldham and beyond are being asked to step forward as baton bearers for The Baton of Hope 2027, the national suicide prevention and mental health awareness tour.

Sarah Tate, who is Oldham's project lead for the event, is encouraging people to get involved. The tour comes to the borough on Sunday, September 26, 2027. As World Mental Health Day is marked on Saturday, October 10, she is urging local people to consider taking part.

The Baton of Hope was established in 2023 by fathers bereaved by suicide and is the country's largest suicide prevention initiative and national awareness movement. It uses a specially designed physical baton and nationwide tours to break the stigma around mental health, unite communities and work towards zero suicides.

The event is held every two years. After it came to Tameside in 2025, Lees-based Sarah nominated Oldham as a stop on the next tour and put herself forward as a project lead. Her application was one of 20 selected from 60 by the Tour Organising Committee.

She has put together a committee whose responsibilities include organising the local route, water stops, lunches, baton bearers and volunteers. Each location is responsible for its own fundraising, so Sarah and her team will plan a variety of fundraisers as well as looking for sponsors and local support.

Applications for baton bearers are open for each location, with a deadline to apply by January 31, 2027.

The leadership team wrote on its website: "Becoming a Baton Bearer is a chance to take your place in a national journey of hope, remembrance and connection. Whether you're carrying The Baton for someone you love, for your community, or for your own reasons, your presence can help make a difference."

Over 40 days, the baton will travel through 21 communities across the UK. Bearers carry it approximately 300m-500m each. The baton weighs 3.24kg and stands 735mm tall, and anyone aged 16 or over can apply to take part.

To volunteer locally, contact Sarah Tate by email at [email protected] or visit the Facebook group The Baton of Hope Tour 2027 - Oldham. Further details and baton bearer applications are on the Baton of Hope website.