'Trying to save lives' - Vaulks' off-field mission

Oxford United midfielder Will Vaulks says he is both "proud" and "emotional" after winning the Fifpro Players Voice award for his work towards suicide prevention and mental health awareness.

The 32-year-old lost both of his grandfathers, who took their own lives just a year apart.

His own grief and the loss of U's legend Joey Beauchamp and young fan Jack Badger to suicide prompted Vaulks to lead the club's Can We Talk? campaign.

Launched to challenge the stigma around mental health issues, the club has organised workshops in schools around Oxfordshire and for supporters.

Vaulks' ongoing work off the field earned him the award for "outstanding contributions to society, highlighting an issue and influencing change".

"It's weird to get awards for doing work like this, I have to be honest," Vaulks told BBC Radio Oxford.

"But it gives me a louder voice and platform to speak about the things we're trying to do to save lives so I'm just really grateful. It's very humbling."

Vaulks became an ambassador for suicide prevention initiative Baton of Hope in 2022

Vaulks said it "means a lot" to his family to have turned losses they will carry with them forever into "something positive that is making a difference".

"It's been a real journey the last two or three years talking about the suicides in my family," he said.

"I'm really grateful to my family for giving me carte blanche to talk about it and share our story.

"They don't want people to be what we've been through and that's the whole point of putting myself out there really.

"My mum sent me a text saying what amazing stuff has come out of tragedy in our family, so that's made me really proud."

Vaulks, who became an ambassador for the UK's largest suicide-awareness initiative Baton of Hope in 2022, says the award has given him "even more drive and passion" to keep raising awareness.

"What this will give me in terms of platform and opening doors that I know as a footballer that I can open that others can't, I have to use that for good," he said.

"That's the responsibility I think we have as footballers.

It's not about recognising me and it's not just me at all. It's about making a difference."

Former England and Newcastle United striker Alan Shearer was among those to praise Vaulks for his work and congratulate him on the award.

"I know you do great work for suicide prevention. Keep it up and congratulations," Shearer said.