A FORMER art teacher who carried the Baton of Hope in memory of her husband is auctioning off two paintings for a local mental health charity.
Thirty volunteer baton bearers, including those bereaved by suicide and those who have tried to take their own lives before, were joined by crowds of supportive spectators around two dozen iconic Jersey’s landmarks on Sunday for the Baton of Hope’s first local tour.
It formed the largest mental health awareness initiative the Island has ever hosted, and involved government representatives, emergency service workers and veteran soldiers.
The tour began at Albert Quay before travelling by boat to Elizabeth Castle, and continued to St Aubin’s Harbour and through St Helier to the States Chamber, where it was welcomed by Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae.
Participants then paused for a moment of silence at the Cenotaph, before the baton continued its route to the Police Station and The Lido and then turned west to its conclusion at Corbière Lighthouse.
Among those to take part was Dawn Burrows, who runs The Colour Rooms, who carried the Baton from Mark Jordan to her gallery and studio at Beaumont, in memory of her husband, Tony Croke, who she remembered as “a popular teacher and friend to many, an amazing father to his two daughters”.
In an additional show of support for those struggling with their mental health, Ms Burrows is now auctioning off two paintings of swimmers for Focus on Mental Illness – a charity she said does “amazing work on our Island” and works “tirelessly to support” many people.
Bidding will close on 10 October, which is World Mental Health Day.
2025 marked the first year Jersey welcomed the baton, as the Island joined a list of twenty locations chosen to host it across the British Isles during its six-week tour.
The event coincided with the government’s launch of Jersey’s Suicide Prevention Strategy (2025-2029), which sets out how the Island can completely prevent suicide.
Mike McCarthy, co-founder of the national charity, Baton of Hope UK, said expanding the tour to Jersey, “is both a positive confirmation of the expanded reach of this year’s tour and also a powerful reminder that suicide knows no boundaries.”
“The unity we’ve seen [in Jersey] shows the power of community in raising awareness,
challenging stigma and creating hope,” he said.
Lynne Capie, a baton bearer, added that taking part in the relay was “a personal privilege”.
“Like so many people, I’ve seen first-hand the devastating impact of suicide and I believe deeply in the power of community to drive change,” she said.
His Excellency, the Lieutenant Governor Vice Admiral Sir Jeremy Kyd also shared his support of Jersey’s involvement in the initiative.
“Suicide touches everyone in society and it has no boundaries,” His Excellency said.
“The tour is inspiring for Jersey and will help raise awareness across our small community. Getting rid of stigma and having open conversations about suicide is really so important.”
