On Tuesday October 1st 2024, Alice Hendy MBE, the founder of R;pple Suicide Prevention Charity, will visit the Stadium of Light to share a powerful story of personal tragedy and resilience in a half-time interview at pitch side. Alice, a passionate football fan alongside her brother Josh, tragically lost him to suicide in November 2020. In the wake of her grief, football became a crucial source of comfort. Whether watching games on TV or attending matches in person, football provided Alice with moments of solace during some of her darkest days.
Driven by a desire to prevent others from experiencing the same heartache, Alice established R;pple, a charity in Josh's memory. The primary goal of R;pple is to intervene in online searches related to self-harm and suicide, offering users vital mental health resources instead. This tool, available as a browser extension or via Wi-Fi networks, interrupts harmful searches and redirects individuals to breathing exercises and free 24/7 helplines, ensuring immediate support.
Since its launch, R;pple has gained immense traction, now assisting nearly 2 million people weekly. It has intercepted over 50,000 harmful searches, potentially saving countless lives. Alice's mission is making a significant difference, and the numbers speak for themselves.
Sunderland AFC, known for its strong community ties, has partnered with R;pple to amplify this crucial cause. The partnership has already resulted in several impactful initiatives and R;pple will join us for the fixture on Tuesday to further promote their service:
- Workshops for academy scholars: These sessions will emphasise the importance of mental health and well-being, educating young players on coping strategies.
- Safeguarding staff and players: R;pple has been deployed across key sites within Sunderland AFC to shield individuals from harmful online content.
- Engagement with fans: Alice will join North East mental health community projects and charities in a dedicated fanzone at the Beacon of Light before being interviewed on the pitch at the Stadium of Light at half time. This interview will provide further information to our fan base about the life-saving potential of R;pple.
This collaboration between R;pple and Sunderland AFC is more than just a partnership — it is a life-saving affiliation. Together, we are encouraging fans and the broader football community to open up about their mental health. Alice has expressed her deep gratitude towards the Sunderland community, praising them for their warmth and dedication to shining a light on this critical issue.
R;pple's digital crisis intervention tool is available free of charge to charities, educational institutions, and individuals, with a subscription model offered to businesses and public sector organizations. For more information about R;pple or to get involved, visit www.ripplesuicideprevention.com or email info@ripplesuicideprevention.com.
Alice Hendy MBE's journey from personal loss to becoming a beacon of hope for others is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is an opportunity to make a positive difference. Through the combined efforts of R;pple and AFC Sunderland, more people are being encouraged to seek help, and lives are being saved.
