A suicide prevent bench has been installed in Harrogate’s Valley Gardens as part of a mental health awareness campaign.
The lifesaving park bench is the work of former Tottenham Hotspur footballer Micky Hazard and his sister Michelle.
The pair founded the Charity 'Legend on the bench', after Michelle's son Jay sadly took his own life in 2019 aged 23.
A second bench has also been installed at Chesney Park in Acomb, York.
Their mission is to install as many benches as possible in parks and open spaces around the UK.
Every bench displays quick access to information at any time of the day or night for anyone experiencing mental health problems.
They feature a QR code that can be easily scanned with a smartphone.
This code will direct people to a comprehensive list of professional groups, who can provide vital support.
This year the Charity teamed up with Definition Body Coaching in Nether Poppleton, a personal training studio that opened back in 2014.
With the support of their clients, the studio raised £4,000 to fund the two new benches, which are the first to be installed in North Yorkshire.
With the subject so close to Micky's heart, he added:
“Someone is always listening, that is the message we want to send out.”
Definition Body Coaching founder Justin Shepherd said:
"We like to do a fundraiser each year supporting different organisations, last year we raised money to buy rehabilitation equipment for St Leonards hospice in York. It's something the whole studio gets behind.
"We hope these benches will help to save lives and help people who need it. Our message is that they matter.
"This also raises further awareness of mental health which is so vital for all of us. It would be great to see even more benches installed in North Yorkshire across 2026 and beyond."
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said:
“Mental health challenges can affect anybody at any time, and it is really important that people know there is always someone they can talk to.
“These benches are part of an initiative that is doing so much good following such a tragic incident.
“And they might just be a lifesaver for someone with the information they provide, as well as helping to raise the profile of mental health more generally.”
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