Why We Are Hosting the Baton of Hope in Tameside

Anthony Seddon wearing a festive red Santa suit, smiling and seated outdoors at a table with a drink and snacks nearby, with a blue recycling bin visible in the background.
Logo of The Anthony Seddon Fund, featuring a green butterfly resting on ripples of water. Text reads: 'The Anthony Seddon Fund - Supporting Mental Wellbeing in the Community.' Charity Number: 1157871.
The Anthony Seddon Fund is a Tameside-based mental health charity founded in 2014 in memory of Anthony Seddon, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 18 and sadly took his own life at the age of 30. Our mission is to provide mental health peer support to individuals in Tameside, as well as their families, friends, and carers.

From our Centre in Ashton-under-Lyne, we offer a variety of peer support groups, therapeutic activities, and holistic therapies to foster a sense of community and resilience. Operating five days a week, we welcome an average of 165 visits weekly and rely on the dedication of our 30+ volunteers and seven full-time staff members.

Hosting the Baton of Hope is a natural extension of our mission. Suicide remains one of the most pressing public health crises in the UK, with 17 lives lost every day. Tameside has one of the highest suicide rates in Greater Manchester, making this initiative especially significant for our community.

By bringing the Baton of Hope to Tameside, we aim to:

  • Break the stigma surrounding mental health and suicide.
  • Foster open, lifesaving conversations.
  • Inspire action towards a zero-suicide society.

Our extensive experience hosting community events like the annual World Suicide Prevention Day vigil and Men’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Conference makes us uniquely positioned to lead this initiative. We are proud to work alongside local organisations, businesses, and volunteers to ensure the event leaves a lasting impact.

Our Vision for the Baton of Hope

The Baton of Hope is more than just an event; it’s a movement that brings people together to share stories, create connections, and inspire change. For Tameside, this is an opportunity to demonstrate the power of community, show support for those affected by suicide, and bring hope to those who need it most.

We invite you to learn more about our work and how you can get involved by visiting our Get Involved page or contacting us directly.