Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity is joining forces once again with the West Ham United Foundation for our third annual five-a-side football tournament.
Taking place on World Suicide Prevention Day, Thursday 10 September 2026, the tournament will once again bring together businesses, supporters and partners for a day of football with a shared purpose: raising vital funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.
The tournament will be hosted at The Foundry, the West Ham United Foundation's state-of-the-art community hub, with headline sponsorship from Shawbrook Bank and Hampshire Trust Bank.
A partnership making a difference
What began as an idea to bring people together through football has grown into an important annual event for both Ripple Suicide Prevention and the West Ham United Foundation.
Last year's tournament welcomed more than 170 participants and raised over £30,000 to support the work of both organisations. Allica Bank were crowned winners of the men's competition, while Fieldfisher took home the women's trophy.
"To be heading into our third year alongside the West Ham United Foundation fills me with so much pride," said Alice Hendy MBE, Founder and CEO of Ripple Suicide Prevention.
"What began as a bold idea has grown into something truly special, but this year feels more poignant than ever. When I sat at my kitchen table, grief-stricken, trying to make sense of losing my brother Josh to suicide, I could never have imagined we would end up here.
"Five years on, on World Suicide Prevention Day itself, we will be on a football pitch surrounded by people who care deeply about the same thing I do. Every team that laces up their boots is playing their part in a movement that saves lives, and this tournament matters because the people we have lost matter, and because the people we can still reach matter. I hope everyone who takes part on the day feels that."
Joseph Lyons, CEO of the West Ham United Foundation, said: "We're incredibly proud to be partnering with Ripple Suicide Prevention for a third consecutive year, and hosting this year's tournament on World Suicide Prevention Day makes it even more meaningful. Football has a unique ability to bring people together, spark important conversations and remind people that they are never alone, and this event is a powerful reflection of that.
"Every team taking part is helping to raise vital funds and awareness for two organisations committed to improving lives and supporting those affected by mental health challenges. We're extremely grateful to our headline sponsors, Shawbrook Bank and HTB, as well as everyone involved in making the tournament possible, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to The Foundry for what promises to be another fantastic day."
Mark Hedley, Relationship Director at Shawbrook Bank, said: "What started as an idea to bring the industry together for a good cause has become something with real momentum. Three years on, this tournament continues to show the power of people, businesses and football coming together to support life-saving work.
"At Shawbrook, we believe businesses have an important role to play in supporting the communities and causes around them. To see this event continue to grow in support, and to be taking place this year on World Suicide Prevention Day, is incredibly powerful and I am humbled to work for a firm that genuinely cares.
"This is more than a football tournament; it is a reminder that through our networks and relationships, we can raise awareness, generate vital funds and make a meaningful difference beyond the day-to-day."
Alex Upton, Managing Director, Specialist Mortgages & Bridging Finance, Hampshire Trust Bank, said: "We're proud to be supporting the tournament again this year. The work carried out by the West Ham United Foundation and Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity is making a real difference, and it's a privilege to play a small part in supporting that.
"Bringing people together through sport is a powerful way to raise awareness, start important conversations and generate vital funds, and we're delighted to be involved again."
For our team at Ripple Suicide Prevention, every conversation started, every connection made and every pound raised helps us continue our mission to make the online world a safer place for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
We are incredibly proud to be hosting this tournament alongside the West Ham United Foundation for a third year and look forward to welcoming new and returning teams to The Foundry this World Suicide Prevention Day.