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Football legends unveil 100th memorial bench

Stuart WoodwardEssex
News imageLegend on the Bench Several people gather around a brown wooden bench. Eight people are stood behind it, with two people sat on the bench. On the bench there are several plaques, and above them is some black writing which says "someone is always listening".Legend on the Bench
Charity co-founder Micky Hazard (front right, sat on the bench) was joined by fellow former professional footballers and others at the unveiling ceremony

Ex-professional footballers have unveiled their 100th "Legend on the Bench" to try to help preventing suicide.

The initiative was launched by former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea player Micky Hazard and his sister Michelle after the death of her son Jay Mead in 2019.

Each bench has an integrated solar-powered LED light and access to mental health support services via QR codes and telephone numbers.

The latest fixture - located in Harlow's Winter Gardens in Essex - is dedicated to Clive Worthington, who took his own life in 2022 following years of pain from botched dental work.

It was unveiled by supporters that included the Argentinian World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles, Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pat Jennings and England star Gary Mabbutt.

News imageSupplied Clive Worthington and his daughter Gina Tilly on her wedding day. Gina wears a white wedding dress and carries a bouquet of flowers. She has long dark brown hair. Clive wears a grey suit with white shirt and silver tie. They are walking down the aisle of a church.Supplied
Gina Tilly said she was "very proud" to have the bench dedicated to her late father, Clive Worthington

Clive was a co-owner of Branson Leisure - a long-standing partner of the Legend on the Bench charity - which donated the bench.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Clive's daughter, Gina Tilly, said she was "really proud".

"My dad was always somebody who really wanted to help others, particularly anybody if they were struggling or finding things hard," she told BBC Essex's Ben Fryer.

"Dad was 81 when he took his life, Michelle's son Jay was only 23.

"Mental health issues can impact people of all ages and from all walks of life - it's so important that they know, wherever they are, that support is out there and that people really do care."

News imageKris Laskowski A brown wooden bench, situated in front of a low brick wall. The photo has been taken in darkness, with several street lights visible in the distance. The bench has a light panel on the top which has illuminated some black writing which says "someone is always listening". There are also several plaques installed on the bench.Kris Laskowski
Each of the 100 benches have a solar-powered LED light, and access to mental health support services via QR codes and phone numbers

The 100th bench was unveiled on Thursday, exactly six years since Jay's death and two years since the charity's first bench was unveiled in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire.

"Legend on the Bench is a way to remember and honour lives lost through suicide, while leaving a legacy that can help save lives in the future," said Hazard, who said better support was "desperately needed".

Also at Thursday's ceremony were former Spurs and Queens Park Rangers striker Mark Falco, Graham Roberts - who played for Spurs, Chelsea and Rangers - and East 17 singer Tony Mortimer.

Hazard said an estimated 200 people attended the ceremony, where Conservative Harlow Council leader Dan Swords announced his authority would be donating £5,000 to the charity.

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