Inaugural Gratitude Games coming to Manchester in 2026
The sporting event aims to spark a national conversation around the mental health of emergency responders
A former firefighter who witnessed the horrors of the Grenfell fire disaster has backed a new sporting event to spark a national conversation around the mental health of emergency responders.
The inaugural Gratitude Games will take place in June next year in Manchester and aims to create a powerful public movement to highlight the mental health challenges of those who protect us from harm.
66% of fire service personnel and 70% of police officers have grappled with mental health issues, according to research from the charity, Mind.
For ambulance workers, this figure rises to 76%.
Meanwhile, anxiety, stress, depression and other psychiatric illnesses were the most reported reasons for sickness in the NHS, accounting for more than 610,500 full time equivalent days lost and 27.5% of all sickness absence in March 2025.
The official launch of the Gratitude Games takes place today (November 5) – one of the busiest dates on the calendar for emergency responders.
Retired firefighter Ricky Nuttall is supporting the games and calling for better mental health support for emergency responders.
Now a train driver for Southern Trains, Ricky served in the London Fire Brigade between 2005 and 2022 and was part of the team that tackled the Grenfell blaze which claimed 72 lives in 2017.
He said: “Being a firefighter was rewarding in some ways but highly damaging in others. Sometimes I wish my head could forget what my eyes have seen. The Grenfell disaster was the tipping point for me but, looking back, I probably needed some help before then.
“That’s why I’m a staunch supporter of the Gratitude Games. It’s a fantastic initiative that will really help people to understand the pressures that emergency responders face on an hourly basis.”
Retired police officer, Ben Pearson, has also been named as an official ambassador of the games. Ben was diagnosed with complex work related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), severe depression and anxiety after serving in the operational support-road traffic unit of West Yorkshire Police for 19 years. Now he delivers speeches on the importance of positive mental health, positive thinking and tackling emotional topics head on.
He said: “As a police officer I saw things that people should never see, such as people being hit by trains. One day I was called out to a scene where a two-year-old had been decapitated by a truck. I also saw both my parents die within 15 months of each other. Everything just got on top of me; I lost my identity and felt suicidal.
“I’m proud to support the Gratitude Games because it’s tackling an endemic problem: the poor mental health of many of our fantastic emergency responders and the lack of support available to them.”
In the inaugural Gratitude Games next year, over 7,000 participants will compete across 11 different sports including golf, shooting, archery and cycling. Participants will form regional teams that will compete from across all 11 sports, with the winning team presented with a unique prize designed and made in Manchester.
Founder of the Gratitude Games, Mike Downard, is a Buckinghamshire firefighter and he says there is urgent need for specialist mental health services for emergency service responders and NHS workers.
He said: “In my 23 years as a firefighter, I have witnessed the devastating impact that working on the frontline can have on your mental health. I’ve sadly lost friends and colleagues to suicide because they could no longer cope with the emotional toll of dealing with traumatic events on a daily basis.
“Anyone in the emergency services or NHS is one incident away from having a mental health crisis and more needs to be done to help them. We need to ensure that all emergency service responders and NHS staff have access to specialist mental health services no matter what position or level they are operating at.
“This is why I founded the Gratitude Games. Through the event we hope to raise as much money as possible for six charities which provide support to emergency services personnel and NHS workers.”
Dave Russel, Chief Fire Officer of Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, said: "Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is delighted to be involved in and support the inaugural Gratitude Games which will take place in Manchester next year. The courage, commitment and professionalism of firefighters and other emergency service responders deserve to be recognised and celebrated.
“A key focus of these games is the mental health challenges emergency responders face in their work to make communities safer - something which is often overlooked. I hope that the impact of these games in raising awareness and funds will not only improve the lives of emergency responders, thus enhancing the service they provide to the public, but also be an example to others that reaching out for help is often the bravest thing that you can do."
Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure, Manchester City Council said: “Manchester is immensely proud to host the inaugural Gratitude Games, a celebration of our emergency responders and the vital role they play in our communities. This event not only reinforces Manchester’s reputation as a leading global sporting city, but also champions mental health, inclusivity, and civic pride.
“By welcoming responders from across the UK, we unite our city in gratitude and inspire residents to get active, support wellbeing, and recognise those who serve. The Gratitude Games truly embody Manchester’s spirit of community and commitment to building a healthier, more inclusive future for all.”