Widnes announce initiative for World Suicide Prevention Day

Widnes have announced they will display 120 rugby league shirts on seats during their game against Halifax in September.

Widnes welcome Halifax to the DCBL Stadium on Monday 5th September, live on Premier Sports. The match is in the same week as World Suicide Prevention Day, which is on the 10th.

Any club or individual at any level that has been affected by suicide can include the shirt they want to.

Vikings Community Rugby League Coordinator Sean Mellor said: “For a number of years Widnes Vikings has run a men’s group for people interested in improving their mental fitness.

“A lot of people in the rugby league community will know somebody who has been affected by suicide. Including those that have been left behind, and understand the devastating effect that has.

“By running this initiative for a game that is live on Premier Sports, hopefully we can play a role in people talking about the issue. We have to move away from the stigma that surrounds men in particular talking and sharing their thoughts.”

Widnes CEO sees responsibility to local community

Widnes CEO Phil Finney added: “As an organisation, Widnes Vikings want to be more than just a rugby league club between 3-5pm on a Sunday.

“We’ve got a responsibility to our local community. To use our platform and presence in the town to raise awareness of really important issues.

“Historically, rugby league is a sport played by alpha males. But mental health issues don’t discriminate whether you’re a rugby player or not.

“Anybody that has been affected by suicide and wants to remember somebody in particular by having their club’s shirt at the game on September 5, they are more than welcome to contact us and we’ll arrange that.”

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