3 days ago
Advance Brighter Futures launches Baton of Hope in Wrexham
Advance Brighter Futures (ABF) began the Wrexham leg of the 2025 Baton of Hope Tour at Erddig on Thursday, May 22.
The charity, which promotes mental wellbeing, has been delivering suicide prevention training and awareness across the city for the past year and a half.
Wrexham is one of 20 locations on the Baton of Hope Tour, the UK's largest suicide prevention initiative.
The tour will culminate in a journey through the city on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
The baton will be carried by more than 70 bearers, all of whom have been affected by suicide.
Zoe Whitehead, project lead for Baton of Hope Wrexham and business development officer at ABF, said: "This is a community-led initiative from start to finish – driven by lived experience, supported by volunteers, and shaped by local people and places that have felt the impact of suicide.
"I know what it feels like to reach that point of hopelessness.
"But I also know what it feels like to come through the other side.
"It's been a real privilege to be part of ABF's work around suicide prevention over the past few years – supporting communities, raising awareness and opening up conversations around suicide.
"Being involved in Baton of Hope is a big but natural step forward for us as a charity – bringing everything we've learned and built together into one powerful day for Wrexham."
Susan Dray, who lost her son Daniel to suicide in 2021, is also the project lead for the Wrexham leg of the tour.
She said: "When we realised the connection between Daniel and ABF, it gave us both goosebumps.
"It genuinely feels like Daniel brought us together.
"I'm doing this for him – but also to prevent other families having to go through what we have.
"We're already seeing the difference it's making.
"People are opening up, sharing their experiences, and starting conversations and that's exactly what this is all about – getting people talking."
The Baton of Hope, designed by Thomas Lyte, the makers of the FA Cup, symbolises mental wellbeing and carries stories of loss, survival, and hope.
It was created by two parents who lost their sons to suicide and wanted to turn pain into purpose.
The launch event was held in Erddig last month (Image: Andrew Bond, AB Photography)
On October 4, the baton will begin its journey at Caffi Wylfa in Chirk and end at Wrexham University, stopping at various Hope Hubs along the way.
These hubs will host community events with music, performances, speakers, activities, and stalls from organisations offering support.
They include Chirk Castle, Pontcysyllte Chapel Tea Rooms, Advance Brighter Futures, and Ty Pawb.
Ms Whitehead added: "We want the tour and Hope Hubs to be an opportunity for people to come together, start conversations, and show support to those impacted by suicide."
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ABF encourages businesses, community groups, and individuals to get involved through volunteering, fundraising, or simply walking with the baton.
To support the Wrexham tour, interested parties can contact zoe@ or join the Facebook group: Baton of Hope Tour 25 – Wrexham.
If you, or someone you know, needs immediate support, there are helplines available offering 24/7 mental health support and advice.
These include the Samaritans, who can be reached at 116 123, and the Papyrus HOPELINE247, available at 0800 068 4141 or by texting 88247.
Other support lines include the C.A.L.L Helpline on 0800 132 737, NHS 111 Mental Health Support by calling 111 and selecting option 2, and Shout by texting 85258.
