Legend on the Bench — Our Story

Legend on the Bench — Where we started — Where we are.

There’s something special about a park bench.

A place to sit.

To breathe.

To think.

But for our remarkable charity, a bench is much more than that.

It’s a lifeline.

A symbol of hope.

A reminder that someone, somewhere, is always listening.

Legend on the Bench was born out of heartbreak.

In 2019, my sister Michelle Mead lost her son, Jason, known to his friends as Jay, when he took his own life at just 23.

Hi, I’m Michelle’s  brother, former Professional footballer Micky Hazard, and I joined her in a mission to make sure no other family would have to endure the devastation we lived through and are living through.

Together, with the help and support of many, we turned our grief into action…

and a single bench into a nationwide movement.

Each Legend Bench is crafted from solid wood, engraved with a message of hope, and fitted with plaques and a QR code that links straight to mental health support services. All benches shine gently at night, and become beacons of light in the darkness. At the end of the darkest hour comes the light of day.

Our message is simple, yet powerful:

“Someone is always listening.”

From the very first bench in Bullfields Park, Sawbridgeworth…to more than 70 benches across England, Scotland Wales and Ireland today…Legend on the Bench has grown into something truly extraordinary.

Each bench costs around two thousand pounds to make and install, funded entirely by donations, sponsors, and community kindness.

Behind every bench is a story. A story of loss, a story of hope and a story of someone ready to listen.

A community that cared enough to act.

A reminder that it’s okay to talk.

And sometimes, it’s okay to just sit.

When the 45th bench was unveiled in Bishop’s Stortford, there was already someone sitting on it.

When she heard what it stood for, she cried, and said she finally felt seen and heard, amazing.

Moments like that are what this charity is all about.

Because Legend on the Bench isn’t just about remembering those we’ve lost.

It’s about reaching those we can still help.

It’s about turning pain into purpose, and silence into conversation. It’s about saving lives.

You can be part of the legend too.

Donate. Sponsor a bench.

Nominate your local park or community space.

Every bench placed is another voice that says:

Your life. Your story. Your hope. It matters. You matter. You are not alone. Someone is always listening.

“Sometimes hope doesn’t shout, it waits quietly on a bench, ready for the moment someone needs to sit beside it.”

Legend on the Bench.

Because someone is always listening.

Celebrating Our Unsung Heroes: The Legend on the Bench Volunteers

At Legend on the Bench, every penny raised goes directly into funding our life-saving benches. And behind every bench is a team of extraordinary volunteers.

These heroes don’t receive a salary. They don’t claim expenses. Every hour, every mile, every small act of effort is given freely, purely to create safe, comforting spaces for those who need them most.

Words cannot fully capture our gratitude. Their dedication turns an idea into reality, a vision into a lifeline. Each bench stands as a testament to their generosity, compassion, and unwavering commitment.

To our volunteers: thank you. From the bottom of our hearts, we see you, we celebrate you, and we couldn’t do this without you. 💙💙💙🙏