Sunday 27th September 2026, Isle of Sheppey, Kent 💙
What a beautiful day we had in Kent, surrounded by beautiful people and sharing something that means so much to all of us at Legend on the Bench.
Today was the day we unveil four Suicide Prevention Bench across Kent, and we began our journey in the Isle of Sheppey.
We were honoured to be joined by Martin Cassell, local Councillor and Head of Environment at Swale Council, together with the Deputy Mayor of Swale. To have both of them there to support what we are trying to achieve meant a great deal to us, and we are incredibly grateful for their time, their kindness and their support.
As always, the unveiling itself was a beautiful and emotional moment. But as we stood beside the bench, it was impossible not to think about the real reason we are doing this. It is always one of the most poignant moments of the day but for a few seconds, everything seems to stand still. Your mind wanders to the people we have loved and lost, to memories shared, to conversations, laughter and moments that we would give anything to have back. Then a promise to yourself, we must do everything in our power to stop other families having to live through the pain we do.🙏
These benches are so much more than a place to sit. They are a reminder that someone cares. A place where someone can stop for a moment when life feels overwhelming. A place where a conversation might begin. A place where somebody might sit beside a friend, a stranger or a loved one and simply say, “I’m here.” And sometimes, that one moment, that one conversation, that one person taking the time to listen, can make all the difference.
A bench cannot solve everything, but it can open a door. It can break the silence. It can remind someone who may be struggling that they are not invisible, they are not forgotten and they do not have to face their darkest moments alone.
A huge thank you to the Deputy Mayor of Swale and Martin Cassell for joining us and for showing your support. It really is appreciated more than words can say.
An almighty thank you to Maria Howden, Ray Berry and their incredible team at East Kent Spurs, in the charity world and my world you are all Legends. Thank you for everything you have done and are doing, not just for LOTB but for so many others out there in need. We love you all and really appreciate all you do.
And as we leave the Isle of Sheppey and continue our journey through Kent, we leave behind something that we hope will be there for many years to come.
A simple bench. But perhaps, on someone’s darkest day, it will become something much more powerful than that. It might become the place where they stop, the place where they breathe, the place where they talk, the place where somebody listens. And maybe, just maybe, the place where hope finds them again.
Because sometimes a bench is not just a bench. Sometimes it can be the beginning of another tomorrow. 💙🙏
#LegendOnTheBench #SuicidePrevention #MentalHealth #Hope #YouAreNotAlone #Kent #IsleOfSheppey