The Baton of Hope is the UK’s largest suicide awareness initiative. Founded in 2023 by two fathers united in grief after losing their sons to suicide, the charity has a simple but powerful mission: to raise awareness of suicide, reduce stigma, and get people talking – ultimately helping to prevent lives from being lost and supporting those affected by suicide.
For Lara Kynvin, that mission is deeply personal. Lara is the volunteer project manager for the Gosport and Portsmouth leg of the Baton of Hope tour. But her role is just one part of an inspiring story of resilience, recovery, and community spirit.
“I reached a very dark point in 2021 and attempted to take my own life,” Lara shares honestly. “After spending three months at The Priory, I was able to turn things around. Not long after, I discovered the Baton of Hope tour and applied to be a bearer. I was honoured to represent Brighton, and that experience was a turning point. It showed me the power of the Baton and the conversations it could spark. From that moment, I knew Portsmouth needed to be part of it, and I was determined to make it happen.”
A year later, Lara and her friend, Sarah Mitus, organised a suicide awareness event in Portsmouth, which drew incredible support. “The reaction to that event demonstrated to me again how much the community wanted this conversation,” she says.
Lara went on to apply for Gosport and Portsmouth to be included in the Baton of Hope tour – a bid that was successful and has made this year’s visit possible. She also volunteered to take on the role of local project manager.
“Being a part of the tour has been hugely rewarding,” she says. “Challenging, yes, but I’ve been so blessed to volunteer alongside strong, fantastic individuals who just want to help and spread awareness as much as I do.”
What is the Baton of Hope?
Crafted by Thomas Lyte, goldsmiths to the King, the Baton is not unlike an Olympic torch, except instead of a flame, it carries a different light: hope. Designed with suicide prevention in mind, it represents resilience, community, and connection.
This year, the Baton will travel through 20 UK cities. It started in Blackpool on 1st September and will conclude in London on 10th October. It will arrive in Portsmouth on 26th September.
Across each city, hundreds of baton bearers, who are everyday people with their own stories of loss, survival, or advocacy, will take turns walking short sections of a route before passing it to the next bearer. “The community can come out, watch it pass, and share their stories,” Lara explains. “It’s about honouring loved ones, remembering, and opening conversations.”
A city comes together
The Baton will be welcomed into Gosport by a motorbike convey on 25th September, followed by a public celebration at The Churchillian Pub on Portsdown Hill. “It’s an open event,” Lara adds. “Anyone can come along and be part of welcoming the Baton.”
On the day it will pass through Gosport sites such as the high street and Explosion Museum. Lara describes the response to becoming a baton bearer as incredible. “More than 100 people will carry it through the area,” she says. “The demand was so high that we had to close applications three weeks early – which really shows just how many lives have been affected by suicide.”
Lara says that suicide is the leading cause of death in young people under 35 in the UK.
“In 2023 alone, 1,840 young lives were lost, and around three-quarters of them are boys or young men,” she explains. “According to Papyrus, on average, five young people die by suicide every day, including more than 200 teenagers each year. Yet research shows that with the right early intervention and support, these deaths can be prevented, which is why initiatives like community prevention events and the Baton of Hope are so important.”
Lara emphasises how important it is for communities to look out for one another and to recognise the signs that someone may be struggling. “It could be withdrawal, isolation, or everyday stresses building up,” she explains. “Often it isn’t the big life events that push someone to the edge. A person might cope with those, but then something small – like their car breaking down—can be the final tipping point when everything else has already piled up.”
Why it matters
For Lara, carrying the Baton is both personal and symbolic. “When I held it in Brighton, it was a moment of reflection – of how far I’d come. It showed me that recovery is possible with the right support.”
But the Baton also represents something bigger: a collective call to action. Lara points out that businesses locally have begun engaging more deeply, recognising the importance of staff wellbeing. Neighbours are being encouraged to look out for one another. And conversations once avoided are now happening openly.
“Years ago, suicide wasn’t spoken about,” Lara explains. “People who lost loved ones often carried that grief silently. The Baton permits them to speak up, sometimes for the first time in years. I experienced this first-hand when I attended in Brighton, which is why I know how much of an impact the baton’s presence will have on the local community.”
Looking ahead
Nationally, 1,300 people will carry the Baton this year and Lara hopes Gosport and Portsmouth’s experience will leave a lasting legacy.
“What I’d really love to see is a kinder, more compassionate society,” Lara says. “Suicide prevention isn’t one person’s problem – it’s something we all share. Businesses need to do more to support their staff, and neighbours should be looking out for one another. Ultimately, it’s about building communities where people feel safe to talk, safe to ask for help, and safe to know they’re not alone.”
As the Baton of Hope passes through Portsmouth and Gosport, it will stand as more than just a symbol. It will be a reminder of strength in community, a prompt to keep the conversation about suicide open, and a message that no one has to carry the weight of silence alone.
Key details
- When: 26th September 2025
- Where: Portsmouth. With 27 stops, starting at Mick’s Monster Burgers and ending at The Gaiety Southsea.
- Special Event: 25th September – public celebration at The Churchillian Pub, Portsdown Hill.
- Get Involved: Visit batonofhopeuk.org for more information about the tour and future volunteering opportunities.
- Need Support?
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK (for under 35s): 0800 068 4141
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support via text.