Worthing FC puts focus on mental health as supporters association partners with suicide prevention charity Olly’s Future

The charity, founded by Worthing mum Ann Feloy, has been announced as Worthing FC Supporters Association's chosen charity of the year and a fundraising day was held on Saturday, October 31.

Nearly 4,000 fans attended the game against Sutton United at Woodside Road and representatives of Olly’s Future were there with collection buckets. The charity also received a split of the match-day raffle, bringing the total raised to £870.

Ann set up the charity in memory of her son Oliver Hare, who took his own life on February 14, 2017, just before his 23rd birthday. Its work includes delivering training worldwide to equip people with the skills to spot signs of someone who may be thinking of suicide and have a conversation that could help save their life.

Ann said: “We're delighted Worthing FC has chosen Olly's Future as its charity of the year. My son Oliver loved playing all kinds of sports, from football and rugby to tennis and squash.

“It's a local club being bold enough to get behind the message that suicide prevention is everyone's business, and particularly football where the majority of spectators are men.

“This is what the recent The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales' campaign On Your Side, hosted by Jake Mills Hub of Hope and fronted by Harry Kane, looks like on the ground.

“We all know the facts that three quarters of suicides are by men and that suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50. Supporting our suicide prevention charity goes a long way to reaching that vital target audience and we'll be working with the club to ensure we can help save lives from suicide together.

“However, this comes at a time when the town is in shock about the closure of its Worthing Samaritans branch, which has left volunteers reeling. I've spoken to many in the past week, since they were told of the closure of their premises in an efficiency drive.

“Local volunteers tell me they are being asked to work from home, which they feel is not tenable as it's vital for their own well-being to be with colleagues, or else drive to Brighton to carry out their shifts.

“For every step forward in suicide prevention, there seems to be two steps back. The Samaritans are closing numerous premises around the country - Worthing is not alone.”

The Rebels will be working with Olly’s Future throughout the coming season and the supporters association, run by Natalie Lunn, will be donating some of the proceeds from away match coach travel to the charity.

Natalie said: “I work as a nurse and know how difficult it is to access care for physical health let alone mental health. So when we were looking for a charity to support, I went online and found Olly’s Future, which is based locally.

“I have sons myself and some of their formative years were during Covid and I know how difficult it can be for young people. So,it is great to be able to contribute to a charity doing such valuable work.”

The club produced an enamel badge, linking the Love and Light logo of Olly’s Future with the team, for the fundraising day and this proved popular with supporters.

James Davies, Olly’s Future chief executive, has followed non-league football most of his life and he was part of the fundraising team on the day.

He said: “For us it is excellent to have such a relationship with a club which shows how much it cares about the issue of suicide.

“You see more than 3,000 people gathered together in one space and this offers a chance to open up about issues which are concerning them. They are with friends and are experiencing a sense of belonging as they get together to support the team.

“Non-league teams may not have the resources and the large fan-base of the bigger clubs, but they are very obviously rooted in towns such as Worthing and play a major part in the community. Tickets are also affordable in ways that premiership attendance is not for many people.”

His own recent personal experience has shown how much going to watch a match can mean to people who might otherwise be feeling isolated.

James explained: “I recently lost my grandmother and my grandfather, aged 87, had been her carer in her last years. He has started going each week to watch both Portland United and Weymouth matches along with other family members, which stops him just being at home and alone with his thoughts, and when I went with him, he really did open up about his feelings.”