NS10 Community Programme

Who are we?

Niall was a caring young lad who had time for everyone who surrounded him, always willing to be there for anyone he spent time with. A loving big brother and son amongst being a truly lovely young man. He grew up in the Southend area, and loved his rugby, music, and the local skate park and the colour Pink, inspired by the kit he wore whilst playing for Old Brentwoods RFC.

In addition to playing regularly for OBRFC he was a season ticket holder at Gloucester Rugby Club, his beloved Cherry & Whites. He would follow them all over the country with his younger brother Calum and Phil, his dad. He was both a fan of rugby and incredibly talented player in his own right.

Niall had an infectious personality and was loved by so many including his school mates and teachers, at King John School in Benfleet, his fellow rugby players and his skater pals.

Tragically, just months before his 18th birthday, on 18th February 2022, Niall took his own life. It was a moment which brought together so many people who had met, known and love Niall and would be the moment which began the journey to The Niall Stringer Foundation being formed.

Impact

After plenty of work by a huge number of people in April 2023 The Niall Stringer Foundation was officially registered at the Charities Commissions with the goal…

For the public benefit, to promote and protect the physical and mental health of young people engaged in sports clubs and sporting environments at all levels, with a focus on club rugby through making grants to support mental health work, related issues and initiatives and working with other organisations and partners to raise awareness of mental health, provide insight and support improvement. 

Over two years on from the tragedy of Niall’s sad passing we are making the positive steps to promote good mental health and to help in the prevention of suicide by using the power of sport to raise awareness around mental health and wellbeing.

Why are we crowdfunding?

We are working to develop a Community Programme where we work with local rugby and other sports clubs to support provision of mental health and wellbeing practices in their organisations. Providing information packs to sports clubs, training in mental health awareness and supporting the development of Mental Health First Aid provision.

How we’ll spend the money raised

We will be able to develop bespoke printed guides and support materials to send to all rugby and other sports clubs across Essex, attend and facilitate talks and training with these clubs as well improving our brand awareness to support more clubs.