On World Mental Health Day, Erith Town F.C. and Mind in Bexley announced that the former had chosen the latter to be their charity of the season.

Mind in Bexley is an independent mental health charity affiliated to National Mind the leading mental health charity in England & Wales. The purpose and objects of the charity is ‘to promote the preservation and the safeguarding of mental health and the relief of persons suffering from mental disorder’. They promote well-being and work to reduce poor mental health and the stigma associated with it.

Erith Town have relocated from Erith Leisure Centre to the Stanmore Stadium, Bayliss Avenue in Thamesmead, and they are enjoying increasing attendances this season. They have always been keen to engage with the local community and this new partnership would appear to be a perfect match.

In the official press release, Simon Dolby, Development Lead at Mind in Bexley, said: “We are pleased to welcome Erith Town as one of our partners and would like to thank them for helping to fundraise for us. Our goal as a charity is to improve the mental health care of Bexley residents and working with progressive football clubs like Erith Town will not only help raise much needed funds, but also help to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and spread the word that there is help available locally.”

Mark Deveney, Erith Town’s CEO, said: “On World Mental Health Day, we are delighted to announce that the Dockers are partnering with Mind in Bexley to raise funds for the local community. Our partnership will also help reduce the stigma associated with mental health and we want to spread the word that there are services available locally that can support the people of our borough.”