Aerial Direct are proud to sponsor Bognor Regis-based charity football team ‘Monday Night Football (MNF)’ with a full team kit sponsorship to help raise men’s mental health awareness. The team is a long-time supporter of the charity ‘More Than Football’ – a project created by Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation that focuses on boosting men’s mental health through football and friendships.
In 2019 UK mental health charity Mind’s 10-year report between 2009-2019 highlighted that the number of men experiencing suicidal thoughts when feeling worried or low doubled since 2009, reaching 10%.
Sponsoring the MNF team presents an opportunity for Aerial Direct to promote mental health awareness and to engage with the community. Aerial Direct employ over 270 staff across the South Coast and have raised money to support mental health charities and invest heavily in their staff wellbeing. Furthermore, it was an employee who first introduced Aerial Direct to Monday Night Football and this sponsorship was a natural progression.
‘Our goal is simple, to get more guys off the sofa from home to join us in a friendly match and share experiences with each other. Everyone has a story; everyone has gone through challenges and so many are struggling.
We want them to know that they’re not alone, they can let loose through a fun game of football and talk to others about anything.’
Andrew Bracegirdle, MNF team member and Aerial Direct employee.
As part of their support for MNF, Aerial Direct designed a bespoke, high-quality football kit with company branding for the whole team to use. The kit has now graced the pitch for the team’s second charity tournament and have made a media appearance on England Football’s YouTube channel.
‘As a company we have a responsibility to take care of the people behind our success, as well as supporting our local community. It’s all too easy for us to go through the day and miss the signals of a co-worker or a friend who is struggling. The opportunity to work with Monday Night Football is a reminder to us all to encourage conversations about the challenges we all face. Turning up and playing is a powerful way to create a supportive community for men that might not have the opportunity to talk to anyone else.”
Jason Phillips, Chief Operations Officer at Aerial Direct.
About team
‘Monday Night Football’
Team MNF brings together 15-25 men every Monday night for a friendly match with the sole purpose of supporting each other. What started as a programme organised by the foundation in September 2022 has now grown into a locally established team with a mission to promote active movement and socialising for men – making new friends, sharing stories and experiences to help one another through personal challenges. The team are actively involved in the Brighton community, featured in local and national media and campaigns including ITV News, Meridian TV and the NHS’s 75th Anniversary campaign.
‘Our current members love coming to play football, some say that it is the highlight of their week. What we’re doing here is not only about mental health but also physical health – if you feel good in your body, you’d feel better in your mind.’
Matt Kennard, Just Play Coach & MNF team captain.