Milton Keynes Route – 4 july 2023
In Milton Keynes, The Baton’s journey will be taking place alongside the ‘Creating Hope; Preventing Suicide Conference’ for professionals working to prevent suicide. This is being held at the Stadium MK and will be running from 09:00 – 16:00; The Baton will feature at the Conference at around midday.
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.
08:05 – 08:30
1 Milton Keynes Rose
The first stop of the day will be a ceremony at Milton Keynes Rose in partnership with Samaritans, who will say a few words. We will start the day with some creative poetry, delivered by Paul Chambers, co-founder and COO of the creative mental health charity, PoetsIn.
Public support will be welcome.
10:00 – 10:30
2 Ride High Children’s Charity
At Ride High, we have a procession on horseback around the grounds with a selected group of children and young people who are members of the charity taking part.
11:00 – 11:45
3 5asideCHESS
At Furzton Lake, the 5asideCHESS Bus will prepare to escort The Baton on its journey to Stadium MK. Come for a chat or a quick game of Chess before we set off.
Public support will be welcome.
12:00 – 12:30
4 Stadium MK – home of MK Dons
The Creating Hope; Preventing Suicide Conference will pause to welcome The Baton into the stadium. Delegates and the public will be invited to talk to local services, and then be asked to take their place pitch-side where The Baton will be exchanged. Mike McCarthy, co-founder of the Baton of Hope, will say a few words alongside the Mayor and our blue light services.
Public support will be welcome.
14:00 – 14:15
5 Red Bull Technology Campus
A special stop at Oracle Red Bull Racing where The Baton will be handed over and escorted by a Formula One Car through the campus to its next bearer of the day.
Public support will be welcome.
16:00 – 17:00
6 Tree Cathedral
Harry’s Rainbow will welcome The Baton at the Tree Cathedral and will be working with our young people to create messages of ‘Hope’ – an art project we hope to display after The Baton leaves the city. We will have music provided by the wonderful Alina Orchestra.
Public support will be welcome.
17:30 – CLOSE
7 Peace Pagoda
The Baton will end its journey at the Peace Pagoda where The Scouts will welcome it in with a Guard of Honour, and where Mind BLMK and CHUMS will be available to talk to anyone about the support they provide for those bereaved by suicide. We will end the day with music on the Peace Pagoda stage, and some final words from Baton of Hope co-founder, Mike McCarthy.
Public support will be welcome.
The Ollie Foundation is running a special training programme alongside the Baton of Hope Tour. For details, please click here: Ollie Foundation Training