Ade Okojibe Carries the Baton of Hope in Leeds

On 10 September 2025, community coach, wellbeing advocate and founder of Keep Me Young Ade Okojibe had the honour of carrying the Baton of Hope through Leeds as part of the UK’s largest suicide-prevention awareness tour.

The Leeds leg of the tour brought together dozens of baton bearers from across the city, each walking a section that linked neighbourhoods, organisations and local people. The message was simple but powerful: you are not alone, and every life matters.

For Ade, the experience reinforced his commitment to supporting wellbeing across Leeds through movement, connection and community. Through Keep Me Young and Alt Active, he continues to build accessible programmes that bring people together, encourage open conversations, and create safe, positive spaces for physical and mental health.

His goal moving forward is clear:to help keep the momentum of the Baton of Hope alive in Leeds by raising awareness, championing prevention, and working alongside local organisations to create real change.

Ade believes that hope grows strongest when people come together, and carrying the baton through his city was both a reminder and a promise to keep that effort going.

If you are involved in community work, mental-health initiatives, funding, youth services or wellbeing projects across Leeds, Ade welcomes collaboration and conversation on continuing this mission. Find out more about Baton Of Hope here: https://batonofhopeuk.org/the-tour/#watch23