Yorkshire TV favourites Duncan Wood and Christine Talbot have announced they will be re-uniting for a special cause this spring.
The award-winning former ITV Calendar presenters developed a special rapport on screen which proved highly popular with TV audiences.
Now they have agreed to present a national conference being organised by friend Mike McCarthy, a former presenter from the rival news programme BBC Look North.
Mike tragically lost his son to suicide three years ago and since then has campaigned for suicide prevention and improvements in mental health support. He has co-founded the national suicide prevention charity, Baton Of Hope which is dedicated to smashing the stigma around suicide and helping to reduce suicide statistics which have stagnated in the UK for more than 15 years.
The duo will present the inaugural Baton of Hope conference this May 16th which aims to bring together people who care about suicide prevention to change the way suicide is seen, talked about and treated.
Mike said:
“I cannot thank Duncan and Christine enough for generously agreeing to give their time for this vital cause. As a former TV presenter myself I know the hosting of this conference is in very capable and talented hands.”
Duncan and Christine added:
“We are honoured to be supporting this event. Nobody is immune to mental health problems and the nation is losing far too many people to suicide. It is the biggest killer of men under 50 and women under 35 and we welcome the opportunity to play a part in this event.”
The conference entitled: ‘Making Suicide Everyone’s Business’ takes place at the Octagon Centre in Sheffield on May 16th. Speakers include former political spin doctor Alastair Campbell, and world leader on suicide research and prevention and President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention, Professor Rory O’Connor amongst many more.
The event is open to all and tickets are available on Eventbrite.
