Frequently Asked Questions

Legend on the Bench is a non-profit making charity, set up with the aim of reducing the number of tragedies recorded each year due to mental health issues or suicides.

The organisation's objective is to raise money for the public benefit, the relief and assistance of people in need, in any part of the UK who are suffering from mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, by the provision of benches in public spaces, promoting the inscribed sources of support/advocacy/advice/information.

If you look up the word Legend, it has several meanings: a story handed down for generations; a person or thing that inspires legends; an inscription or title on an object; an explanatory list of the symbols on a map or chart.

The benches represent all of the above — they are inscribed with details of support groups which lead to the website with contact information. The bench also represents a place of comfort for those seeking it during dark times. And it will generate a story of hope, to all those suffering from mental health issues and suicidal thoughts, that there are people available who want to help.

As an ex-professional footballer, Micky became a Legend in his sport, but it was not without the support of people on the bench or around him. Micky and Michelle wish to be the Legend on your Bench, when you need it.

In 2019, Micky received a phone call from his sister Michelle, after finding her son, Jason Lee Mead, had taken his own life. After dealing with the family tragedy, both came together to try and find a way to prevent the same loss to other people and started a fundraising campaign to install a bench in the same park where Jay used to visit during his free time, as a beacon of hope and source of support information to others in the same desperate situation.

The idea grew into wanting to extend this initiative to all parks in the UK, growing the awareness of mental health struggles and the impacts that suicidal thoughts have on people and their loved ones, with the hope that people affected will find the support they need.

There is no limit being set. Once the project is established the Committee of Trustees will look to project forward based on fundraising experience.

The Legend on the Bench Charity Committee of Trustees will consider all requests for a bench and make a final decision.

Solid African hardwood.

The bench measures 1830mm (L) x 555mm (W). Please note that these dimensions are for the bench only.

For the base, you will need to allow space for the feet. We typically recommend either 8 large paving slabs or a fully prepared solid base to provide adequate support and stability.

Within reason, and with the approval of any local Council planning consents.

Current costs are £2,300 per bench plus Council fees — these may vary upon location and the number of groundworks required.

The benches will be installed with a set inscription and QR code — it may be possible for a brass plaque to be added after, with approval of the Committee of Trustees and local Council.

The benches have integral lighting and will be securely fastened to the ground.

The local authority will decide, but usually the charity will maintain the benches as part of our permissions from them.

The Legend on the Bench charity will contact the relevant authority for permission.

This will depend on our supplier — the average target time will be one week and communicated per bench on the charity website.

This will depend on each local authority, usually several weeks — the average time will be found on the charity's website once we have examples of the time taken.

We have put together a checklist for the steps required. Please head over to our Get a Bench Installed page for full details.

You can find all our bench locations on the Our Benches page, complete with an interactive map and details of each installation.

Yes — a list of upcoming and past events is displayed on our Events page.

There are many ways to donate — PayPal, JustGiving, or by direct payment. Please head over to our dedicated Ways to Donate page for full details.

Yes — visit our Our Benches page to see an interactive map of every installation across the UK, along with photos and details of each bench.