The event took place in Maidstone with dozens of boxers getting in the ring to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. The charity Baton of Hope also organises other events that tackle similar issues.
00:00Mayhem, Match Day and Mental Health. Three unlikely phrases to hear in the same sentence,
00:07but on Sunday in Maidstone, amateur to seasoned boxers took to the ring to raise awareness
00:12and combat suicide rates in Kent. The Baton of Hope is the UK's largest suicide prevention
00:18charity. They recently visited the county in September as its Olympic torch made its
00:23way around Kent, where it made its mark on the community.
00:26I'm going to sit on the organising committee for the charity. So I was project lead for
00:30the Kent and Medway tour for the Baton of Hope tour they did in September, October this year.
00:35I've been involved in the charity for about three years. The community as well, I mean
00:38you've probably seen today just how close we are. It's like a family, like a family here.
00:43Everyone's got everyone's back and Al, like my coach, is just amazing. It's like a therapy session.
00:49It was a full arena. Friends and family were all gathered to view and support the competition.
00:54There was a wide variety of fighters with all different ages, weight and ability.
00:59From featherweight to heavyweight, we saw it all.
01:01I want to win it. I'm going in to win. But at the end of the day, it is for a charity cause.
01:11To bring awareness about suicide prevention, helping those who might be struggling.
01:16There's been a lot of times where stuff has been going on in personal life that has been stressing me out.
01:21A bit sad, a bit down. You come to a session, you train for an hour, train for a couple of hours.
01:27You walk out with a grin on your face feeling great. Speak about it. Friends, co-workers who you're close with, family. Speak about it.
01:37Each fighter has been training day in, day out for months leading up to the event. All of which choosing to do so for something true to themselves.
01:46Some fought for their own mental health, whereas others chose to fight for those who are no longer here to fight for themselves.
01:51In the ring, everyone was fighting for one another.
01:54For personal reasons, I wanted to get involved. A very good friend of mine had a difficult time and, as a result, took his own life.
02:05The reason we're all doing it is to try and promote a message and to let people know that you're not alone out there
02:14and that no matter how low you're feeling, there are people that are caring for you and fighting for you and reaching out for you.
02:21Data shows that registered deaths by suicide have become stagnant in recent years, showing a call for further support from charities like Baton of Hope.
02:29With the success of the event, the charity has shattered the predicted goal of £5,000 and managed to so far raise £6,088, supporting the Baton of Hope in continuing to spread awareness.
02:41Corey for MTV in Maidstone.
02:43If you have been affected by the subjects covered in this report, Samaritans can be reached on 116 123.
02:50Let's go.
02:51I'm Katie Grant.
02:52I'm Katie Grant.
02:53We'll see you next time.
02:54You'll see us.
02:55We'll see you next time.
02:56You may have started with the event.
02:58Well, with us on our own team and our team and our team and I'm here to play, and I will find you something.
03:02Let's go.
03:03What is it?
03:04The event that you've discovered was the event.
03:05Well, before you've come in, you've come out.
03:06And we could start to see you next time.
03:09If you don't go home, we can start to see you next time.
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