Keighley Rotary Baton of Hope

A party of members from the Rotary Club of Keighley, Club President Liz Joyce, Immediate Past President Jim Staton and Rotarian John Huxley together with District 1040 Governor Anne Sutcliffe were on hand to assist the passage of the Baton of Hope through Haworth this morning (Tuesday, September 9th).

The Baton of Hope is the UK’s largest-ever suicide prevention initiative. Created in 2023, it involves a symbolic baton handcrafted by Thomas Lyte (silversmiths to Queen Elizabeth II and creators of the FA Cup) that tours cities across the UK to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage community support around mental health and suicide prevention.

Bradford has been chosen as one of 20 locations on the 2025 tour - a significant honour given its status as a City of Culture.

The baton’s journey in Bradford started at Top Withens near Haworth and made its way down through the village to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway station. From there it went by train to Keighley College to focus attention on young people.

After leaving Keighley the Baton was journeying on to Bingley and Saltaire before moving into Bradford at Lister Park, the Broadway Shopping Centre, City Hall and, finally, to Bradford Live for an up-lifting evening show.

The event was marked by a networking breakfast meeting at Cobbles and Clay on Main Street, Haworth where Anne, Liz, Jim and Rotarian John Huxley mixed with business, charity and community leaders.

Following the Breakfast event District Governor Anne, President Liz and Past President Jim were on hand to marshal the Baton's progress through Haworth down to the heritage railway station.