Morpeth Town are pleased to confirm a sponsorship partnership with Tyneside and Northumberland Mind, a charity that focuses on mental health in our region.
Agreed in memory of Highwaymen supporter Glenn Dixon, who tragically took his own life, the deal aims to promote the benefits of talking and sharing when feeling at your lowest points.
The idea behind it started when one of our sponsors kindly offered to auction off their sponsorship space on the new travelling top.
Club media manager Ross Jackson (pictured, right with manager Craig Lynch) discussed the possibility of a group of friends – who have previously held a fundraising charity football match at Craik Park in honour of their mutual friend, Glenn – chipping in to bid for the space and dedicate it to the mental health charity.
With integral support from Chris Brown (pictured, left), also a friend of Glenn’s, the deal came to fruition.
Jackson said: “When Glenn died, it shocked us all within our friendship group.
“You hear the stories but you never expect it to happen to someone you know. Glenn was a fantastic soul, with a kind heart, and to know he felt so low left me particularly unnerved. He was a great friend and I wish I could say that to him again.
“But what those events have done is galvanise a group of us, really driven by Chris, to raise money for MIND, hence the charity football match at Craik Park last summer, and the repeat coming up in June.
“We wanted to make a difference in memory of Glenn; this sponsorship was a perfect way to continue that theme and we’re delighted to work with Morpeth and Mind.
“I’d like to thank the sponsor for allowing us to take their space and also everyone who donated to the final bid.”
After winning the auction, Tyneside and Northumberland MIND was delighted to discover they’d feature on the kit for the new season, increasing their exposure to the wider community.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “Tyneside and Northumberland Mind are very grateful for this opportunity to have our name printed on the Morpeth Town tops as it helps us raise awareness of our charity and our local mental health services, especially with young people and families in the region.
“This partnership has been made possible by media manager Ross Jackson, the family of the late Glenn Dixon and players from the ‘For Glenn Trophy’ match and we are very grateful for their continued support.
“Chris Brown organises the ‘For Glenn Dixon Trophy’ memorial football match at Craik park every year with the support of Morpeth Town AFC to raise funds for Tyneside and Northumberland Mind to help us fund some of our most ‘in demand’ services including our support line, our Northumberland supporting families project, as well as one-to-one counselling and local wellbeing groups.
“We hope that partnering with Morpeth Town Football Club will help us raise more awareness of our charity and help more people to get the help they need.”
Craik Park will play host to the second edition of the ‘For Glenn Trophy’ match on Sunday, June 23rd. Free entry on the day, the clubhouse will be open and donation stations set up around the ground.
