Sheffield-born former footballer Ritchie Humphreys is set to take on the London Marathon on Sunday 28 April to raise vital funds for the mental health charity Mind.
Since hanging up his boots after playing 738 professional games, Humphreys, who played for Sheffield Wednesday, Hartlepool United and Chesterfield as well as loans spells at Scunthorpe United, Cardiff City and Port Vale has gone on to focus on his passion for charity fundraising and campaigning around mental health in football. From his time as Chairman for the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), as well as in his current role for the PFA, he has been a passionate supporter of players’ mental health.
Given that the PFA’s research suggests that 438 current and former professionals accessed therapy in 2018, 278 more than two years ago, it is clear that there has been no better time to champion the cause.
All money raised will support will fund the vital support Mind gives through its Infoline, local Minds and sports programmes across the country. This forms part of Mind’s two-year charity partnership with the EFL (English Football League). The On Your Side partnership aims to be game-changing in the way football tackles mental health problems, working with organisations like the PFA who play a key role in supporting the mental health of footballers.
Humphreys decided to take on the event and raise money for Mind,
“I wanted to take on this challenge to raise the awareness of mental health and mental health within football, the industry I have work within since I was 16 years old.
"The preparation definitely hasn’t been easy – especially after an initial setback with a calf injury! But I know I’m doing this for a really good cause”
Anyone wanting to support Ritchie can do so by donating to his fundraising page: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-portal/fundraiserPage?pageId=1026479
You can here an interview with Ritchie on this week's edition of the Official EFL Podcast below: