Firefighters launch #OurBlueLight Relay which comes through Formby tomorrow morning

Today, firefighters from Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service helped to launch the #OurBlueLight Mental Health Relay to raise awareness of how mental health issues affect emergency service staff.

Taking place from Saturday April 29 to Friday September 22 this year, the relay will see staff from emergency services across the UK, including fire and rescue, police, ambulance, prison services and the NHS, carry a baton across north west England.

The baton will travel to different cities throughout its journey and each weekend local emergency services will hand it to another emergency service team for it to be taken to its next location.

Today, Saturday April 29, the relay launched on Blackpool Promenade at 10.30am when the baton arrived at Southport Community Fire Station on Manchester Road by crew from Southport Lifeboat.

The batton will remain at the fire station overnight.

On Sunday, April 30 at 10.30am the baton will be placed in a vintage ambulance and travel in convoy with three fire engines and vehicles from HM Coastguard Southport along Lord Street in Southport through Ainsdale, Formby, Ince Blundell, Thornton and Netherton before arriving at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service headquarters on Bridle Road in Bootle.