FAMILY tragedy led a supporter of the Gurnard Tigers to make a £500 donation to the youth football team.

In turn, the team is using its new kit to make people more aware of the work of the NHS and mental health awareness in young males, after benefactor, Matt Blanch’, suffered the loss of his stepson, who took his own life when aged 18.

It all stemmed from an appeal for sponsorship for the Tigers, put out by its manager, Darren Williams, on social media.

Isle of Wight County Press: Matt Blanch with one of the Gurnard Tigers team showing the new kit bags with Every Mind Matters logo embossed on it.Matt Blanch with one of the Gurnard Tigers team showing the new kit bags with Every Mind Matters logo embossed on it.

Mr Blanch was one of those who responded.

The NHS logo has been embossed onto the team’s strips and tracksuits, sponsored by Isle of Wight firms WRS Systems and DW Construction, with Every Mind Matters information embossed onto their kit bags.

The Every Mind Matters campaign, supported by the NHS and Public Health England, gives people the skills to improve their mental health.

Isle of Wight County Press: Matt Blanch with one of the Gurnard Tigers team showing the NHS logos embossed onto the team's new kit.Matt Blanch with one of the Gurnard Tigers team showing the NHS logos embossed onto the team's new kit.

Darren explained: “Matt wanted to make a gesture to thank the NHS in the current Covid climate and to try to raise awareness of mental health issues affecting young males following his own family tragedy.

“Matt believes if his stepson had spoken more about how he felt, maybe his death could have been avoided.

“He wants to try to get a message out to all young boys on the Island that it’s OK not to be OK, to talk about your feelings and to be kind to one another.”

Some of the money donated will be used for a memorial trophy, in his stepson’s name, Liam Jones, which will be presented to one Gurnard Youth FC player each year — of which the Tigers are a part — considered to be the most thoughtful and caring.

Gurnard Youth have 13 teams.

  • On page 65 of this week's edition of the County Press, a technical error resulted in an incorrect headline being published with the story. We apologise for any embarrassment it has caused Gurnard Youth FC and the Gurnard Tigers. The story will be reprinted in this coming Friday's edition of the paper.