Become a
Baton Bearer
Every time the Baton changes hands, hope is passed forward. In 2027, the hand that carries it could be yours.
Applications are now open until 31st January 2027, giving you the chance to be part of this extraordinary journey across the UK.
Find your nearest location, choose the walk that means something to you, and take your place in the journey.
Walk with us in 2027
The Baton of Hope is back for 2027, and we’re inviting people from communities across the United Kingdom to become Baton Bearers for our national relay.
If you’ve been affected by suicide in any way, we invite you to walk with us on this journey. Whether you’re walking in memory of someone you’ve lost, to show support for someone who may be struggling, or simply because you believe every life is worth fighting for, your reason for walking matters.
Over 40 days, the Baton will travel through 21 communities across the UK, bringing people together to remember, to connect and to have the conversations that can make a difference. Simply by taking part, each Baton Bearer will add their own story, their own reason and their own hope to a journey that belongs to all of us.
Because when we walk together, we remind people that they are not alone. And when we carry hope forward, we can help create a future where more people feel able to stay.
What carrying the Baton involves
The distance
The average distance carried during Tour25 was 300–500m. If you’d find this difficult, we’ll do our best to accommodate you — just tell us in your application.
The weight
The Baton weighs 3.24kg and stands 735mm tall. A shoulder strap is available to help support the weight, just ask for one in the access and support section.
Who can take part
Open to anyone aged 16 or over. If you’re 16 or 17, a trusted adult walks alongside you on the day.
Where the Baton will travel
Over 40 days, The Baton will journey through 21 communities across the UK, with each location hosting The Baton for a day.
Each stop brings its own people, stories and reasons for walking, creating a nationwide journey connected by one powerful message: hope can travel further when we carry it together.
Apply to carry the Baton
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.
We receive every application with care and consideration, and we’re grateful to everyone who chooses to step forward and be part of The Baton of Hope journey.
If you’re chosen as a Baton Bearer, we ask for a £20 payment that covers a small admin cost and your exclusive Baton Bearer T-shirt for the tour. If paying this isn’t possible for you, please let us know in the application below, we can help, and we never want cost to be the reason someone can’t take part.
FAQ’s
A Baton Bearer is someone who has been affected by suicide — whether bereaved by suicide, or having survived their own attempt to take their life. The Baton is a symbol of hope for you to carry on one of the tour days in a relay. Bearers physically hand the Baton to one another to represent shared responsibility, community support and solidarity.
It depends on a number of factors. On average during Tour25, Bearers carried the Baton for roughly 300–500m. If you’d like to take part but might find 300m difficult, we’ll do our best to accommodate you. Your Project Lead will be in touch closer to the time when they’re planning the route.
The Baton is 735mm tall and weighs 3.24kg. We have a shoulder strap available to help support the weight if you need it — please indicate this in the access & support section of your application.
Applications close on 31 January 2027. After they close, Project Leads start planning handover points and will contact you in plenty of time before the tour date with your time and location.
Once Bearers have been selected, we’ll email you a link with instructions to order your T-shirt for the tour. Please order by 31 July — after that an extra £5 delivery cost applies, or you risk losing your place. If you’re unable to pay the £20, reach out when we send the link and we can discuss support.
We ask that Bearers are aged 16 or over. If you’re 16 or 17, you’ll need a trusted adult to walk with you when carrying the Baton.
Yes. Your family, friends and supporters are welcome to walk alongside you.
We’d be extremely grateful, and we encourage fundraising and sponsorship for carrying the Baton. If you’re selected, we’ll send a detailed guide including sponsor forms, instructions for setting up an online fundraising page, and lots of other tips. Our team is on hand to support you too.
We understand that carrying The Baton of Hope can be an emotional experience, and we’re committed to making sure you feel supported every step of the way. Mental Health First Aiders and other support services will be available for you to speak to.
Reach out to us at [email protected] and one of our team will be in touch with you.
Feeling affected right now?
Talking or reading about suicide can sometimes bring difficult thoughts or feelings to the surface. If you’re finding things difficult right now, you don’t have to deal with those feelings on your own.
Support is available day or night, whenever you need someone to listen, talk things through or simply be there.
Ready to pass hope forward?
If you’re ready to take your place in The Baton of Hope journey, we’d love to have you with us. Applications are open until 31 January 2027, with a limited number of Baton Bearer places available in each location.
Take your place. Carry hope. Pass it forward.
Apply to carry the BatonQuestions? Email us at [email protected]