Annual football tournament to take place in memory of former teammate
The tournament is raising money for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Thames Valley Air Ambulance
An annual football tournament is taking place today in memory of a local footballer from Eynsham, Oxfordshire, who died by suicide in 2021.
Daniel Johnson from Eynsham took his own life at the age of 26 and now his family, teammates and the local community come together every year in his honour.
The tournament also aims to help provide a safe space for people to talk openly about their mental health, while raising money for charity.
Donations will go towards both Thames Valley Air Ambulance who are at the frontline of saving lives, as well as the suicide prevention charity CALM.
Daniel Johnson's former teammate, Will James said: “There'll be probably around 100 men at the tournament and it's to be able to talk openly about their mental health and have the support of their families there.
“So, I think it's a crucial thing that it is done every year, not only to remember Dan, but also to provide that safe space where mental health can be talked about - especially men's mental health.”
Will added: “A lot of his friends are there as well as his whole community in Eynsham. So, everybody sort of pulls together.
“It doesn't just end with the football afterwards, as there's a raffle and a disco at the Eynsham Sport and Social Club, so it goes on long after where everybody comes together to remember Dan.”
Mr James also says that both charities the are raising money are “crucial” and provide “vital” work:
“A lot of the work CALM does, goes very under the radar.
“The campaign against living miserably has been very helpful to Dan's family since the event and to other families who are affected by these unfortunate circumstances and the work they do is vital.
“Everyone's also aware of the work that the air ambulance do and how quickly they're on the scene when accidents do happen.”