Racing Club Warwick has unveiled a suicide prevention bench as a 'powerful symbol of hope, remembrance, conversation, and community.'

Local MP Matt Western, gathered alongside members of the Racing Club Warwick, including Chairman of the football club Gary Vella, Academy Head Coach Matt Nutt and the boys and girls from the academy, to unveil the bench, alongside Legend on the Bench Charity, on 12 May.

The charity was set up by ex-professional footballer, Micky Hazard, and his sister Michelle following the tragic death of Michelle's son Jason Lee Mead, with the aim of reducing the number of such tragedies recorded each year due to mental health issues or suicides.

Other members of the local community were also in attendance of the bench reveal alongside the club's very own Local Champions Colin Merryweather who travelled a 150 miles to be there.

The Racing Club Warwick team shared: "The reveal as always was inspiring and marked far more than the installation of a bench. It represented a commitment to breaking the silence surrounding mental health and suicide prevention, while creating a permanent place where people can pause, reflect, talk, and feel less alone.

"MP Matt Western spoke very supportive and important words about our campaign and Mental Health as the young budding footballers and attendees listened-in attentively...

"A heart felt thank you to Gary Vella who was the main instigator of having this Bench placed in Warwick and also spoke during the reveal about the importance of visible spaces for reflection and connection."

Racing Club Warwick has unveiled a suicide prevention bench (image via Racing Club Warwick)

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Major sponsors for raising the funds for the Bench included Hardeep Malle, who attended on 12 May, with his wife, and The Railway Football Tournament Charity.

The Legend on the Bench Charity team also expressed gratitude to all those who supported the project, attended the reveal, and continue to stand alongside the charity in raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.

"Together, we continue to turn benches into beacons of hope. Together we are making a difference, let's keep making that difference."

The bench is located at Racing Club Warwick at Townsend Meadow on Hampton Road in Warwick.