A mam whose son tragically took his own life is set to carry the 'Baton of Hope' to help others.
Jill Dixon, 63, and her husband Richard, 58, lost their son Glenn on their wedding anniversary in 2018. Glenn, 32, suffered with mental health difficulties and was on the waiting list to receive support through the NHS.
Glenn's family and friends have spent the last four years raising money for suicide prevention charities and increasing awareness of the support services which are available for those in need.
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Jill, from Morpeth, Northumberland, will now take on the challenge of carrying the 'Baton of Hope' when it arrives in Newcastle during it's UK tour next month.
The baton was designed as part of a suicide prevention initiative. On June 25, it will set off from Glasgow on a journey through towns and cities across the UK, reaching Downing Street two weeks later.
Baton of Hope was founded by Mike McCarthy and Steve Phillip after they lost their sons to suicide.
It aims to impact the lives of thousands with the message: Where there is HOPE, there is a real opportunity to save lives.
Jill, who is also mam to Katie, 30, said: "Glenn was a character. He had a fantastic sense of humour and he had a heart of gold.
"He died on our wedding anniversary. On the 5th November this year it will be our 40th wedding anniversary and the 5th year without Glenn. The two are forever entwined now sadly.
"I'm thrilled about taking part in the Baton of Hope.
"I'm a bit nervous as the baton is three and a half kilos - it's quite a weight to carry. I'll be walking with Richard.
"I'll be thinking about Glenn when I'm carrying it.
"I think I will be a bit tearful but proud to be involved with the movement and wish them every success. Anything that increases the number of lives saved is fantastic."
The baton will be carried on the journey by notable personalities, leaders, and people with their own stories.
Jill said Glenn, who was a big fan of Celtic FC, began suffering with his mental health while living in North Shields, North Tyneside, and working as a carer.
She said: "He literally wore this heart on his sleeve. If there was a fly in the house we weren't allowed to swat it, he was desperate not to hurt anything. On one occasion, he literally gave a shirt off his back.
"He was a lot of fun to be around but he had his dark moments too. He didn't live at home, he lived in North Shields and he was having a hard time with it. Nobody knew at the time.
"The last contact we had with him was when he asked what we wanted for our wedding anniversary on the 5th November and I said 'just a card'. It was the 5th November when he died.
"He's buried in Bockenfield in Northumberland. We have got a bench there and we sit and think about him."
The retired teacher said they spent most of 2019 putting on events and raffles to raise awareness and funds for mental health charities in memory of Glenn.
She said: "We raised £25,000 for Tyneside and Northumberland Mind and Celtic's charity 'You'll Never Talk Alone'.
"We just want people to be able to talk about it, to know the symptoms to look for in themselves and someone else and raise awareness of what help will be available. It shouldn't be a taboo.
"When you say to somebody 'Are you ok?' they will generally say 'Yeah I'm fine'. - ask them again and say 'Really are you ok?'
"Our son was on the NHS waiting list for mental health when he took his own life. There are other organisations available to help like Calm and Papyrus."
Jill said Katie heard about the Baton of Hope and asked her if she would be interested. Jill applied to take part in the campaign will carry the Baton on June 27. The location is yet to be confirmed.
She said: "We wanted to raise the profile and increase conversation about suicide and this is exactly what Baton of Hope is doing on a mega scale.
"It's just a fantastic initiative - really imaginative, creative and hugely ambitious.
"I have often thought about what Glenn would make of this and the many friends that have devoted their time, money and energy. It shows how much he was loved and I don't think he ever knew.
"I think he would be astounded and blown away by people doing things in his memory."
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