Micky Hazard’s suicide prevention charity reaches major milestone

Legend on the Bench, a charity fronted by our legendary former midfielder, Micky Hazard, today reached a major milestone with the installation of its 100th suicide prevention bench.

Created in memory of Micky’s nephew Jay, who tragically took his own life aged just 23, Legend on the Bench was founded by his mother and Micky’s sister, Michelle Hazard, with a mission to install suicide prevention benches in every local park or open space in the UK.

And since its launch in February 2024, the charity is already making great strides towards achieving its objective – the 100^th bench was unveiled by a host of Spurs Legends, including Pat Jennings, Gary Mabbutt, Ossie Ardiles, Graham Roberts, Mark Falco and Micky himself in The Water Gardens, Harlow, Essex, on the seventh anniversary of Jay’s passing.

Each bench is equipped with a solar-powered light which keeps it illuminated through the darkness of night as a beacon of hope for anyone who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. The benches carry the poignant message that ‘Someone Is Always Listening’, along with a number of helpline numbers, including Samaritans.

Speaking at the launch, hosted by Harlow Council, Micky said: “February 26th will always be Jay’s anniversary, the day our world changed forever. Out of the deepest pain came something powerful, something that saves lives.

“Standing here at our 100th bench reveal is overwhelming in the most humbling way. What began as a tribute to Jay has become a movement across the UK, a movement of hope and togetherness. And that is because of the people who stood beside us, not just today, but every single step of this journey.

“When we unveil our benches, they are not just wood and metal. We are making a promise. A promise that support is here. A promise that we care. Our Benches are 100 places for someone to sit and pause. 100 visible commitments that our communities are choosing to talk, to listen, and to act. And 100 reminders that you are not alone and that someone is always listening.”

The centenary bench was installed in the memory of Clive Worthington, the former business partner of Kris Laskowski, Managing Director of Branson Leisure Ltd, who manufacture the benches.

Kris said: “When we first met Michelle, Micky and the team and heard their vision and idea about the benches, we just had to be involved because we lost my past business partner, Clive, to suicide nine months previously.

“Today we’re here delivering the 100th bench in Clive’s memory and hopefully plenty more to follow to help raise mental health awareness everywhere and to everyone.”

Earlier this season, the Club partnered with the Premier League’s Together Against Suicide initiative to launch a home matchday support service delivered by Mind in Haringey – since September, this has received over 100 contacts and has already made potentially life-saving interventions.

Staff from Mind in Haringey are based at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium during all Premier League matches across the season. They can be reached by sending a WhatsApp to 07399 928274 and are available to meet confidentially with anyone who requires support on the day. Support is also available outside of home matchdays, with fans directed to a dedicated hub on Mind in Haringey’s website for out of hours support.

Statistics

• Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK takes their own life
• 25% of people in the UK have considered suicide
• 84% of football fans believe the sport helps start a conversation on the topic

For more on Legend on the Bench, visit: https://www.legend-on-the-bench.co.uk/