A crowds gathered to take part in the Baton of Hope parade in Margate yesterday (September 22).
The Baton of Hope tour travelled through Kent and Medway on its journey to raise awareness of suicide prevention support, call out suicide stigma and celebrate absent loved ones and those who have been able to find hope and stay with us.
More than 130 Kent residents took it in turns to carry the campaign’s Olympic-torch style baton through Medway, Maidstone, Canterbury and Thanet.
It reached the isle in the early evening after being brought from Canterbury to Margate by the Community Driving School.
A little after 6pm the parade began from the Nayland Rock Shelter, led by the 1st Margate Boys and Girls Brigade marching band along the seafront, pausing at Margate Steps and Turner before heading along the Harbour Arm, then back into Margate’s Old Town where the ‘Afternoon of Hope’ event was taking place.
The baton then made its final journey of the day, from the Old Town to Dreamland.
Among those in the parade were Thanet families who have lost loved ones to suicide. Many wore jumpers and T shirts with the names and photos of those they were remembering.
STAK.life { Stefan’s Acts of Kindness) founders Emma and Tristan Kluibenschadl, who lost their son Stefan, aged just 15, after workplace bullying and failures by health services to provide appropriate help, were present.
They organised the making of the Kent Speak Their Name memorial quilt, with 66 squares made by friends and families, each representing the unique memories of the loved one who died by suicide.
Stefan was diagnosed with high functioning autism and Emma and Tristan work to raise awareness of the high percentage of those lost being neurodivergent (Autism/ADHD). They also provide, through STAK.life, training for professionals, parents and businesses on Autism and Mental Health; awareness raising and talks on neurodivergence and neuro -affirming practices and workshops and groups that provide creative, therapeutic support for neurodivergent young people and those people experiencing grief and loss in Thanet.
Margate Mayor Katie Pope was present, organising the baton bearers as each took their turn for a short stretch, along with consort Saffrey Lee. Margate councillors Rob Yates and Jack Packman also joined the march as did Thanet business leader Karen Brinkman and deputy mayor Leo Britcher.
The baton ended its stretch in Margate with the ‘Evening of Hope’ finale at Dreamland.
The memorial quilt was unveiled and there were acts including Britain’s Got Talent’s dance group Midlife Movers‘ and World Slam Poetry Champion Harry Baker.
Midlife Movers founder Debs Forsyth lost her former brother-in-law to suicide in 2023, said: “Suicide, particularly the way it affects men, is something I feel so strongly about. Buck was a brilliant person, fun and glorious to be around. None of us knew how he was feeling and it is such a huge thing when they go.”
Many of the Midlife Movers also took part in the parade before heading to Dreamland for their performance.
Kent Speak Their Name quilt display venues
The memorial quilt will be displayed at locations across Kent. Thanet venues are Broadstairs Library from today (September 23) until October 3; St George’s Church, Ramsgate, from March 17, 2026, until April 1, 2026; ARK Cliftonville from May 8 to May 10, 2026, and Ramsgate Library from May 11 to June 5, 2026.
Powerful video shares stories of those bereaved by suicide ahead of Kent Speak Their Name memorial quilt unveiling
