Mersey Mind project helps raise over £110k at Goodison Park mental health World Cup

Wirral charity Mersey Mind Project joined teams nationwide at Goodison Park for the Mental Health World Cup 2026 to raise vital awareness for suicide prevention.

Joining dozens of squads from across the nation, the charity took part in the high-profile tournament to champion suicide prevention and break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.

The event featured 42 teams divided into seven groups, with the Mersey Mind Project squad delivering a strong performance representing Belgium. They secured three victories out of five matches to finish third in their group.

The charity dedicated its tournament run to the memory of Nathan Jones, a lifelong Everton supporter who tragically lost his life to suicide in June 2025. Given Nathan’s deep love for Everton, playing at Goodison Park held immense emotional significance for his family and teammates alike.

The eight-player squad and two coaches were cheered on by Nathan’s family and a vibrant crowd under sunny skies, demonstrating how football can unite communities, spark vital conversations, and foster mental wellbeing.

Nathan’s cousin, Catherine Jones, shared that Nathan was just 37 when he passed away, and because they are such a close-knit family, it came as a massive shock as no one knew he was struggling. She described him as a warm, bubbly person who lived for his wife and three children, always putting everyone else first and masking his pain incredibly well.

She added that as a massive Evertonian, it felt deeply fitting to have this tournament at the stadium he loved so much. She noted that her family was incredibly moved by the event and the awareness raised by Mersey Mind Project and the Mental Health World Cup, adding that she only wished Nathan had known this kind of support existed when he was alive.

The tournament was a resounding success both on and off the pitch, raising an incredible £111,000 for charity while driving critical awareness for suicide prevention and mental health resources. Chris Guy of the Mersey Mind Project expressed that the day was a powerful reminder of how football can break down barriers and lift people up during their darkest times, offering his gratitude to the organisers, volunteers, and everyone who came out to make the day so unforgettable.

Founded in 2025, the Mersey Mind Project has quickly become a vital lifeline for hundreds of men across the region, actively combating loneliness and isolation. The charity provides safe, judgment-free spaces for men to connect, exercise, and talk through free football sessions, a fitness boot camp, and peer-support groups called The Listening Space.

Moving forward, the charity has pledged its ongoing support to Nathan Jones’ family as they work together to promote suicide awareness, and they warmly invite any men who are struggling or feeling isolated to reach out and join their free community initiatives.

Find out more about Mersey Mind here.

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