02/09/2025
Wow what a day yesterday was for the Baton of Hope Tour Opening - Blackpool 2025!
I am very humbled and blessed to be a part of this. For it to kickstart its journey in my hometown, a place I feel we come together when our own are in need 💞
The amount of people that came out to support us was amazing. All the baton bearers that have lost their loved ones and came together to honour them, to bring awareness, to stand together was inspiring, beautiful and impactful. There was so many open talks about mental wellbeing, su***de and how can we make the change it was full of love, sadness yet hope. Hope to make those changes, hope for themselves in their darkest of days.
I was so proud to carry the baton, for everyone I know touched by su***de, but especially for my solace groups, who I care for deeply, who’s pain yet hope I see on a regular basis and to pass it to my beautiful friend Eibhlín Ní Riain was a moment I will cherish.
Mental health and su***de are not spoken about enough. People shy away from the word, people think they shouldn’t be talking about how they feel. It isn’t, reach out to someone, check in on your family and friends. Speak openly, let’s make it so our children, our grandchildren and the generations to come know it is ok to talk, they know what su***de is and can have those difficult conversations. Let’s make it so this epidemic ends, because that’s what it is! It is one of the biggest killers out there!
Samantha Southern Grace Dolan Katie Kinahan and all of the Solaceatempowermentcharity team you should be so proud of what you have achieved and the work you continue to do. I have seen how much graft has gone into it.
It doesn’t stop there we have Unite for Hope 2025! This Saturday, candlelit vigil in a couple of weeks and the convention. The passion Sam has for bringing awareness and prevention is awe inspiring, from her own personal loss of Glen to making something positive from it is just amazing.
***deprevention
