A LEES community champion is tackling her biggest challenge yet – being selected as project lead for Oldham for the nationwide Baton of Hope 2027.
Sarah Tate, who runs Sarah’s Community Challenges Project (SCCP) to raise money for local groups and causes, is one of just 20 chosen for the demanding role.
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 promote a zero-suicide.
After being involved when the Baton of Hope, which is held every two years, came to Tameside in 2025, Sarah decided to nominate Oldham as a stop for the next tour and herself as a project lead.
Her application was selected, along with 19 others, out of 60 applications following a rigorous process conducted by the Tour Organising Committee.
Sarah said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase Oldham in a positive light and a prime chance to raise awareness about mental health.
“I didn’t expect the application to be successful but it was! This is a big deal for the borough and everyone we can help.”
As project lead, Sarah will put together a committee whose responsibilities will include organising the local route, water stops, lunches, baton bearers and volunteers, and road closures.
Each location is responsible for their own fundraising so Sarah and her team will plan a variety of fundraisers as well as looking for sponsors and local support.
In September, applications will be open for Baton Bearers for each location, with a deadline to apply by January 21, 2027.
Mike McCarthy, Co-Founder of The Baton of Hope, said: “We have been astounded by the profound engagement generated by the Tours and witnessing just how warm and positive the reaction is from the places we visit.
“To those who applied to be Project Leads and host one of the locations next year – thank you.
“Without people like you up and down the country, we wouldn’t be in our third year of this initiative that continues to build momentum and visibility of this increasingly important topic.”
The Baton of Hope 2027 tour locations are: Bath and North East Somerset, Birmingham, Cardiff, Doncaster, Hampshire, Hull, Isle of Man, Kilmarnock & East Ayrshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Liverpool, Luton, Northumberland, Northern Ireland, Nottingham, Oldham, Plymouth, Reigate, Scottish Borders, Sheffield, and Watford.
Find out more about the tour on their website.
You must be logged in to post a comment.