Sunday 27th September 2026, Our 3rd Bench Reveal of the Day, Canterbury
Our third bench reveal of the day took us to Canterbury University, and what another very special occasion it was. There were so many people there to support the reveal, and it was lovely to see so many familiar faces.
Bryn and Lisa Evans MBE were there, whose son George sadly took his own life. We had previously installed a bench at Littlestone in George’s memory, so seeing them again in Canterbury meant a great deal to us.
Katie Moore, one of our wonderful Local Champions, was also there, along with Councillor Steph Jupe, the Sheriff of Canterbury, Ian Marsh, Suicide-Safe Lead and Suicide-Safer Universities Project Lead at Canterbury University, Lucy from Student Support at Canterbury University, and so many others who had come along to support us.
The Speeches
The speeches were absolutely amazing and incredibly heartfelt. Listening to people talk about what they have personally lived through, and having the courage to stand up and share those experiences in the hope that it may help someone else, is something I find incredibly inspirational.
Then came the part of the day that, once again, is my favourite, the reveal of the bench. I honestly can’t explain what happens to me at that moment. As the bench comes into view, I get goosebumps running through my whole body. I just stand there for a moment and let my mind wander. I think about the reason we are there. I think about the people who may one day sit on that bench. I think about someone who might be struggling and doesn’t know where to turn. And I think about how important it is that we keep talking, keep listening and keep reminding people that they are not alone.
That little moment when the bench is revealed means so much to me because I know it isn’t just a bench. It’s a message, it’s a reminder, it’s a place where someone can sit, take a breath, gather their thoughts and, hopefully, find the courage to talk.
A massive thank you to Sheriff Steph for her beautiful words and for showing such kindness and support.💙
Thank you also to Ian and Lucy for their lovely words and for everything you are doing. Your kindness and commitment really do mean a lot.💙
And thank you to every single person who attended, donated, raised money or played any part whatsoever in making this happen. You are stars 🌟
These benches don’t just appear. They happen because people care.
And I have to give a very special thank you to two people and a big group of people who have done so much for us in Kent, Maria Howden, Ray Berry and East Kent Spurs.
What these guys have done for Legend on the Bench has been absolutely incredible. The amount of work, fundraising, time and effort that has gone into helping us put these benches into communities is something I will never take for granted. Maria and Ray, along with everyone at East Kent Spurs, you have shown what can happen when people come together because they genuinely care about others.
You have helped us create something that will be there long after the day we leave. And that is the most important thing about our benches. We may be there for the reveal, we may take the photographs and we may celebrate the people who made it possible, but the real story starts afterwards.
Someone we will probably never meet may one day sit on that bench. They may be having the worst day of their life. They may need somebody to sit beside them. They may need somewhere to cry. They may need somewhere to think. Or they may simply need a reminder that their life matters.
And if that bench gives somebody even a small reason to stop, talk, listen or carry on, then every mile travelled, every pound raised and every bit of hard work has been worth it. That is why we keep going, because behind every bench is a message of hope. And as long as there are people who need that message, we will keep putting these benches where they are needed.
One bench at a time. One conversation at a time. One life at a time.🙏🙏🙏
