To raise awareness of suicide prevention and honour those lost, Horizon recovery practitioner James Wood and members of Frankie’s Men’s Group carried the symbolic ‘Baton of Hope’ as it made its way through Blackpool.
James, joined by two Frankie’s Mens Group members, proudly took their turn along the route, joining more than 100 people who gathered to lift the baton in memory of loved ones lost to suicide.
The journey wound through many of Blackpool’s most recognisable landmarks, with community hubs set up along the way to provide information on local services supporting mental health, wellbeing and recovery.
Reflecting on the event, James said: “Just by looking around at people’s t-shirts, you notice that everyone here has been affected by losing someone they care about.
“Events like this show the importance of raising awareness for suicide being preventable. It shows the ripple effect suicide can have on the people around them.”
As suicide remains the biggest killer of men under 50, James set up Frankie’s Men’s Group at Horizon in memory of his daughter Frankie, who died in 2023.
The group offers men an open and honest space to share their struggles and build vital support networks. Since launching in January 2024, it now welcomes around 20 members each week.
As well as naming the support group after Frankie, James has taken on physical challenges to raise awareness for suicide prevention and honour his daughter’s memory. Last year, he took on a 50K ultra-marathon, raising over £1700 for Samaritans in the process.
James’ wife Hayley and son Tyler were there to cheer him on as he lifted the baton.
Hayley said: “We’re very, very proud. He’s always doing what he can to raise awareness, he never stops. He deals with his grief in a healthy way and he’s always doing what he needs to do to see change in the world.”
This isn’t the first time James has carried a torch. In 2012, he had the honour of carrying the Olympic torch through London, one of 8,000 torchbearers chosen across the UK.
The Baton of Hope’s Blackpool journey began at 8.30am from The Village Hotel and passed through Blackpool Zoo, Stanley Park, Blackpool FC, South Pier, North Pier and Blackpool Tower before concluding at Viva Blackpool.
The nationwide tour will continue until October 10th, World Mental Health Day, ending in London after stopping at 20 locations including Bradford, Derbyshire, Norwich, Jersey and Wrexham.
