Latest news with #EmpowermentCharity
BBC News
12-08-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Blackpool mum 'proud' to join suicide baton relay in hometown
A mother-of-six who was "blindsided" when her husband took his own life has said she is "honoured and extremely proud" to take part in the Baton of Hope tour when it starts in by the suicide prevention charity, bereaved families are preparing to carry the baton through 20 locations in the UK again in a bid to challenge stigma and campaign for practical Southern is taking part for the second time along with her sister Charlotte Dawson, in remembrance of her husband Glen who took his own life in Southern who works for Blackpool's Empowerment Charity said she was "honoured and extremely proud" to bring the baton to the resort for the first time. The baton is carried like an Olympic torch, passed from person to person, being held by 100 local people who each have a direct connection to will walk through Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. They will pass local services that can offer support for mental and physical will then tour the country, including visiting Leeds, London, Bournemouth and Jersey. Ms Southern said: "When suicide swept into my life, it completely blindsided me. "It detonated like an atomic bomb, leaving me and our six distraught children in the depths of despair. "I felt the loneliest I have ever been, even with so many people around me. I never wanted another family or person to feel that alone."Carrying the Baton in 2023 was an incredible day. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I belonged and that's why I knew we had to bring the Baton to the Fylde Coast."Also taking part in the Blackpool route is May Cunningham from Bispham who will be walking for her daughter Melissa who was 30 years old when she took her own life in August 2024. She said she was "so honoured that her brother and I are going to be side by side to help publicise this huge silent killer that is devastating to millions of people". Karen Strong is a local suicide survivor who said she applied to walk in the Baton of Hope "as living proof of hope after coming back from the absolute depths of despair and here I am living life, loving life, volunteering, having fun, enjoying my family and my first grandchild." She added: "I want to carry it for me because I am proud of how far I have come from how low I was, and I want to carry it for other people to give them hope that it doesn't matter how dark and bleak life can be, you can come back from it and start living again." Nurses Claire Hickson and Vicki Lang, from the SWAN End of Life Bereavement Service, based at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, are also involved and said it "means a lot" to be asked to take part."Anything that reduces the stigma, raises awareness, gets people talking about their feelings and also highlights what support is available for people, can only be a good thing," Ms Hickson said. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on BBC Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Emmerdale star reveals heartbreaking death of younger brother and reveals plans to remember him
AN Emmerdale star has revealed the heartbreaking death of his younger brother, and revealed plans to remember him. Tom Atkinson is an English actor who plays Lachlan White in Emmerdale. 5 Before joining Emmerdale, he starred in Eric & Ernie and Trying Again, and Thomas' character committed several murders in the soap. In 2018, he confirmed his exit from the soap after four-and-a-half years of portraying the serial killer, who was going to prison for a very long time. And in a heartbreaking recent update, it has been revealed that Tom's younger brother took his own life. Now, one of his brother Matt's close friends is running the Manchester Half Marathon in his memory, as well as to raise money. The Emmerdale star posted a photo of his younger brother, and wrote a heartbreaking caption. It read: 'Hi all. I haven't posted anything about this yet for the privacy of my family, but now I feel is the right time to do so. 'In October of last year, as I'm sure many of you will already know, my younger brother, Matt, tragically took his life. It's been the hardest time of mine and my family's lives, and we've really appreciated all the kindness we've received from those of you that knew him. 'Matt was a wonderful, kind, and incredibly funny person. Words cannot describe just how much he'll be missed by so many people. 'One of Matt's close friends @amackie99 is running the Manchester Half Marathon this weekend in memory of my brother, as well as to raise money for Empowerment Charity Lancashire. EastEnders win TV Bafta for the first time in six years after Emmerdale was forced to withdraw 'They're a charity based here in the northwest set up to support families and friends who've been affected by suicide, as well as providing emotional support for those who need it. They've been there for my family since we lost Matt, as they are for many others across the Lancashire area, offering support to families and to us when we needed it most.' Tom continued: 'If you can spare anything at all, please consider donating through the link in my bio. The money goes directly to helping other families like mine who are dealing with loss in the most awful of circumstances. 'I'd also like to kindly ask for your understanding and respect for our privacy during this time. While I'm sharing this to support a cause close to my heart, my family and I are still processing our grief, and we appreciate the space to do so in our own way. Your thoughtfulness means everything to us right now. 'If any of you ever feel low, know that it's okay to be so. And if you ever need to talk things through, Samaritans are always there to listen on 116 123.' In the tribute to his brother, actor Tom posted a string of photos ranging from more recent pictures to throwbacks of them together as kids. Devastated followers shared their words of support in the comments, as one person wrote: 'Sorry for ur loss, thoughts for all who loved & knew ur brother. What beautiful pictures. Thank you for sharing.' A second person added: 'So so sorry for your loss Tom, my deepest condolences and sending love to you and your family.' And a third echoed: 'So sorry to hear Tom, can't imagine what you've been going through.' 5
