Spurs legend aims to save lives with memory benches

Former Tottenham players Micky Hazard, Ossie Ardiles and Bryan Hughes are all ambassadors of the Legend on the Bench charity

Benches engraved with contact details for mental health services are being rolled out by a Tottenham Hotspur legend.

Micky Hazard, 64, said he wanted to help others after his nephew, Jay, took his own life at the age of 23.

The Legend on the Bench charity has already installed a seat in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, and plans to unveil a new one in Thaxted, Essex.

"We’re trying to bring people with mental health problems to understand there is help and support available," Mr Hazard said.

The charity was founded in October and its ambassadors include fellow former Tottenham players Ossie Ardiles and Bryan Hughes.

Its first bench was unveiled in Sawbridgeworth - where Jay lived until his death in 2019 - in February.

The idea of the benches was created by Jay's mother, Michelle

Mr Hazard said his nephew was "forever bubbly, smiling, laughing, joking".

"He was a very happy-go-lucky boy, or it appeared on the outside he was," the ex-player told BBC Essex.

"These people with these problems, they disguise the way inside they are feeling.

"We had no inclination he was about to take his life."

The benches, which were the brainchild of Jay's mother, Michelle, are illuminated by solar lighting so they can be seen at night.

They feature a QR code which takes a user to pictures and videos of the person the bench is in memory of.

"When you arrive at the bench, the first thing you see is the engraved writing saying 'Someone is always listening'," Mr Hazard added.

He said the charity had been "inundated" with support since its launch in 2023.

"The kindness of everyone out there which the charity resonates with has been incredible," Mr Hazard added.