Manchester Route – 29 June 2023
In Greater Manchester, we aim to reach people across the region to share a message of hope that lives can be saved and suicide prevented. Over 90 people registered to carry the Baton of Hope during the day, uniting together to raise awareness and prompt action… highlighting the fact that suicide prevention is everyone’s business.
The Baton route and event locations are all subject to local authority approval, and change.
© mapbox & OSMap
As in other cities, The Baton’s day will likely start with a media moment just before 08:00.
08:00
1 Media City, Salford
We begin our Baton of Hope UK Tour at Agecroft Rowing Club. Founded in 1861, it is one of the oldest open membership rowing clubs in the world. Rowers from the Club, including a Baton bearer and Mike Palmer from ‘3 Dads Walking’, will row the short distance from the Club to Media City to collect the Baton. Canals once at the heart of industrial Manchester, and left disused and neglected, have been restored. The team will carry the Baton down the waterway into Manchester and on to Old Trafford, using these historic routes to spread a message of hope.
Public support is welcome.
09:00 – 9:30
2 Manchester United Football Club, Old Trafford
Old Trafford Stadium is the world-famous home of Manchester United, one of the most widely supported football clubs in the world. A team of Baton-bearers will meet Premier League Football representatives at the stadium, before carrying the Baton along the canal path to the Etihad Stadium. A brief refreshment stop will take place near Canal Street in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village.
Public support, outside the venue and along the canal path, is welcome.
10:30 – 11:00
3 Manchester City Football Club, Etihad Stadium
Manchester City Football Club, commonly referred to as Man City, has its home in East Manchester, and recently celebrated winning the treble. The team will meet Premier League Football representatives on arrival and highlight the importance of talking about suicide to save lives.
Public support, outside the venue, is welcome.
11:15 – 12:00
4 National Cycling Centre, Manchester
The National Cycling Centre was Britain’s first indoor Olympic cycling track; since it opened in 1994, it has become one of the world’s finest and fastest board tracks. The Baton will make a short visit to the NCC, and meet British Cycling Team representatives.
Public support, outside the venue, is welcome.
From 13:30
5 Whitworth Art Gallery
Baton of Hope supporters are welcome to meet at this beautiful art gallery located in Whitworth Park, part of the University of Manchester. They will set off at 14:00 along Oxford Road; the route takes us past the University of Manchester before it arrives in St Peter’s Square. Baton-bearers will have the opportunity to carry The Baton during the walk with the support of individuals, charities and organisations who are working to improve mental health, prevent suicide, and support the suicide bereaved in the City.
Public support is welcome.
15:00 – 17:00
6 St Peter’s Square
This famous public square – home to the Manchester Cenotaph and the Emmeline Pankhurst statue – has historic significance. The area around the Square was the site of the Peterloo Massacre; it has, over the years, been the location for many protests. Holding this event in the heart of the city helps raise awareness of the urgent need to prevent further suicides, break the stigma around suicide, and bring comfort to those bereaved by suicide that they are not alone.
Baton-bearers will take turns to carry The Baton on a set route in the Square. The route will be in the shape of a figure of eight – the sign for infinity – and will signify the never-ending love felt for those lost to suicide. While in the Square, local poets will share their words of Hope.
Public support is welcome.
10:00 – 17:00
Additional events in Greater Manchester
Through the day in Gallery 1 at Manchester Art Gallery the ‘Greater Manchester Suicide Memorial Quilt’ will be on display; emotional support will be provided by the Greater Manchester Bereavement Service, Papyrus, SoBS and Samaritans.
The Ollie Foundation is running a special training programme alongside the Baton of Hope Tour. For details, please click here: Ollie Foundation Training