Latest news with #StevePhillip
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
UK's largest ever suicide prevention initiative coming to West Lothian
The Baton of Hope Tour, is coming to West Lothian on Friday, September 5, and has officially entered the 10-week countdown. The UK's largest ever suicide prevention initiative is coming to West Lothian. The Baton of Hope Tour, is coming to West Lothian on Friday, September 5, and has officially entered the 10-week countdown. The tour aims to bring about change in how we as a a society approach suicide. In how we talk about it and in how we support those affected by it. West Lothian is the only Scottish stop on the tour. The Baton of Hope was founded in 2022 by fathers Mike McCarthy and Steve Phillip, who were inspired by personal loss and are committed to changing the conversation around suicide, with the Baton first being carried through the streets of the UK in 2023 as a unifying symbol of remembrance, hope and the need for urgent action. Mike McCarthy, co-founder of The Baton Of Hope, said: 'The idea is that people who have been bereaved by suicide or survived a suicide attempt find some comfort by being involved.' Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 50 in the UK, according to the Samaritans. Mr McCarthy said he believed a change in strategy was needed. 'Suicide is preventable, he said. 'Whatever we have been doing over the last twenty years hasn't worked.' He said he was motivated to start the charity after his son Ross took his own life. 'He wrote a long goodbye letter and one of the things that he said in that letter was please fight for mental health, the support is just not there,' he said. 'If he could look down and see what we are trying to do in his name, and the name of all of the people we have lost to suicide, I'm sure he would think 'I'm proud of what you are trying to do'.' The West Lothian leg of the tour is being organised by Neil's Hugs Foundation, a charity dedicated to assisting those affected by the attempted or completed suicide of those close to them. It will begin at Linlithgow Palace and will include stops in Broxburn, Armadale, Bathgate, Blackburn, Bents and Stoneyburn, and Livingston before ending at West Lothian College with a special event for baton bearers, their families, and invited guests. The West Lothian part of the relay is organised by Neil's Hugs Foundation which was founded by Donna Paterson-Harvie whose son Neil took his own life in 2011, and who is now dedicated to supporting those affected by suicide in West Lothian. More information on the relay is available at
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Popular beer festival returns to North Yorkshire town this month
A much-loved beer festival is back this month in a North Yorkshire town. The Harrogate beer festival promises even more local flavour to bring the community together for great drinks, live sports and a chance to give back. The focus will be very much on local producers this year with Roosters and Daleside as the main brewers for the first time, Whittakers Gin and Ake & Humphris as wine specialists and a selection of beers from the wider Yorkshire area. Organised by Harrogate Round Table, this year's event will take place on Friday March 14 and Saturday March 15 at The Crown Hotel in Crown Place. RECOMMENDED READING: Wetherspoon pubs to host 12-day international beer festival York Camra presents its LocAle winners in city ceremony Brew York announces dates of its ninth Birthday Bash Merchant Adventurers' Charity Beer Festival tickets on sale Both nights include live music, talented local artists and bands- including White Van Man, the frontman being Bob Hope from Emmerdale (Tony Audenshaw). Since its inception in 1990, the Harrogate Beer Festival has raised over £500,000 for local good causes, with last year alone generating over £30,000 for nominated charities. This year, the festival is supporting Samaritans in Harrogate, Martin House Children's Hospice, and, for the first time, The Jordan Legacy, founded by Steve Phillip to promote suicide prevention and mental wellbeing. Harrogate businessman Gary Thompson, speaking on behalf of the organisers, Harrogate Round Table, said: 'A huge thank you goes out to the many local businesses who have sponsored this year's festival, helping to make the event bigger and better than ever. 'The Harrogate Beer Festival is a fantastic way to network, make new connections, and support both local suppliers and charities. It's an event that truly brings the community together for a great cause. 'It's also a great opportunity to come together, see lots of familiar faces, and have a good time. Above all else, this is a community event. There are some great local craft beers and drinks available, and we'll also have alcohol-free options, including Prosecco and beer.' In addition to an incredible selection of beers, gins, and spirits, visitors can also enjoy live sporting action on the big screen, with coverage of the Cheltenham Festival on Friday and the Six Nations rugby on Saturday, making it the perfect setting for a weekend of drinks and entertainment. Steve Phillip, founder of The Jordan Legacy, whose 34-year-old son Jordan took his own life five years ago, added: 'Coming together for social events like this can be really beneficial for mental health and, given that we know a large part of the demographic of the beer festival correlates with the peak age group for suicides in the UK, which is 34-49 year olds, particularly men, this is a real opportunity for people to get into a room together and enjoy the benefits of being in good company. 'We are really grateful to Harrogate Beer Festival for choosing to support our work this year. I'll be at the event and invite people to come and talk to me if they'd like to know more about what we do.' Tickets and wristbands are on sale now via the festival website:
