As originally published on www.whufc.com
A short film created by West Ham United and R;pple Suicide Prevention titled Josh’s Story has claimed the Bronze Award at the prestigious 2024 Smiley Charity Film Awards.
The Bronze Award for Josh’s Story was announced at a red-carpet awards ceremony at the world famous ODEON Luxe Leicester Square, where R;pple founder and Hammers fan Alice Hendy was in attendance alongside former West Ham player Matt Jarvis.
Josh’s Story received the award in the Longform £100,000-£1 million category, where there were over 100 entries. The winner in the category was Greenpeace UK for their film titled ‘Don't Stop’ while Integrate UK claimed the Silver Award with their film titled ‘Love Bomb’.
The film focuses on how Alice set up R;pple Suicide Prevention after losing her only sibling, Josh, in November 2020 to suicide at just 21 years of age. Josh had been researching techniques to take his own life via harmful internet searches.
R;pple Suicide Prevention ensures that more help and support is given to individuals searching for harmful content online. The tool intercepts harmful content relating to self-harm and/or suicide through innovative technology to ensure all users searching for harmful content online are presented with an opportunity of hope that things can and will get better.
Since October 2021, R;pple has been implemented across West Ham United, with the Club one of many businesses using the suicide prevention tool alongside the likes of QBE Insurance, Manchester Airport and Save the Children.
In utilising the tool, West Ham United became the first professional football Club to do so, a fact Alice is particularly proud of.
“To have West Ham as the first football Club to deploy this tool is special to me, and it’s also poignant given West Ham is my brother’s Club and my Club,” Alice explained. “It’s deployed to all of the staff and promoted within the Academy.
“I hope more clubs will follow in West Ham’s footsteps.”
Josh’s Story was released by the Club last year to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
