Special suicide prevention bench unveiled in Stourbridge in honour of 'loving' young man
Olly Wilkes took his own life in 2017
Last updated 6th Oct 2026
A special bench has been unveiled by a national suicide prevention charity in Stourbridge in honour of a young man from the town who took his own life.
Olly Wilkes died in 2017, but over the weekend, a memorial bench was installed at Stourbridge Football Club's ground with his name and story, serving as a reminder to others who may be struggling that there's help and hope out there.
It's part of the work of the charity 'Legend on the Bench', which was set up by former Tottenham Hotspur footballer, Micky Hazard, and his sister, Michelle, to help provide 24/7 crisis support after Michelle's son Jay, took his own life.
There's many 'legend' benches across the country, but Olly's is the organisation's first bench in the Black Country, and his dad, Simon, said it's a "very fitting tribute" for his son.
"I can't put it into words," he said.
"They're such powerful things and I never thought in a million years that a bench would be so powerful."
The bench features Olly's name and photo, as well as a QR code that visitors can scan to read more about his story and leave tributes.
It also features numbers to various crisis support lines and signposts people who may be struggling with their own metal health of resources they can access for immediate help.
Simon said: "If one bench just saves one life, then it's doing it's job.
"They're a beacon of light for someone who may be struggling."
Before losing Olly, his family had been keen fundraisers for various causes, something which has continued since his passing, with Simon having organised annual charity fishing trips in his name among many other things.
To Olly's loved ones, who describe him as a "loving, caring kid with a heart of gold," it was important to turn what was an incredibly painful experience into a legacy of positive change.
In a statement following the unveiling of the bench on Saturday (October 4), Legend on the Bench thanked the football club and Olly's family and friends for getting involved.
"Having a bench at a football club feels particularly important. Football brings people together from every walk of life," they said.
"People talk about the result, the players and what happened on the pitch, but sometimes the conversations that really matter are the ones that happen away from it.
"The message spreads quicker, louder, wider and more powerfully when football sends the message."
They continued: "There is nothing any of us can ever say or do that will take away the pain of losing someone we love. That pain stays with us, and we carry it every day.
"But what we can do is make sure Olly is never forgotten, that his name continues to live on, and that from such a heartbreaking loss, something positive can come.
"His story can now carry a message of hope and remind somebody who may be struggling that they are not alone and that there is always someone willing to listen."
If you've been impacted by any of the issues raised, you can check out CALM's website which includes links to its helpline.
If you want to find services local to you – check out the Hub of Hope and it’ll help you connect with services where you live.
If you prefer to text you can text the word SHOUT to 85258 and one of their volunteers will respond via messaging.
You can call Samaritans 24/7 on 116 123.
Whatever you’re facing, you're not alone.