High hopes for reducing tragic toll as festival offers healthy tips for families

BATON OF HOPE'S CITY ARRIVAL SIGNALS SUPPORT TO CUT PREVENTABLE DEATHS

- By TELEGRAPH REPORTER

FREE yoga and workout sessions, cricket activities, face painting, choir performances and a wealth of well-being and mental health advice will be on offer at a large family-friendly Derby festival in association with the emotive Baton of Hope tour coming to the city this weekend.

The Baton of Hope is the UK's largest suicide prevention initiative and is being brought to Derby tomorrow by a group of volunteers committed to helping reduce numbers of people taking the fatal step of taking their own life.

With the Derby tour led by Claire Goring, who lost her own father to suicide, the Baton of Hope is a beautifully decorated object being passed around Derby on Saturday by people who have been affected by the tragedy of people taking their own life.

As part of the day, a huge series of free events has been planned in parks across the city to encourage families to come along and find out about the wealth of wellbeing, sporting and mental health services that are available in the local area.

In Darley Park, there will be a big family fair in the morning with a range of activities and stalls, including free yoga and High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) sessions, with ice cream and other refreshments available to keep appetites satisfied.