‘Out of the Blue’ charity match hosted by Shanklin Football Club

Shanklin Football Club hosted the launch of the ‘Out Of The Blue’ peer support group charity, for members of ‘uniformed’ groups, with guests IW Prison Governor, Doug Graham, and IW High Sheriff, Jacque Gazzard.

Mr Graham presented representatives from the football club with special plaques, and the High Sheriff cut a special ‘Out Of The Blue’ cake, to mark the launch of the initiative, with the club having long-standing links with the uniformed organisations on the Island.

Other guests included representatives from the police service, Sandown & Shanklin Independent Lifeboat, and the Royal British Legion, as well as the Prison Service.

Organiser, Ryan Hill, said: “Thanks to everyone for popping along and supporting the launch of this much-needed initiative, building on the partnership with Shanklin FC, and we hope to organise a further event before the start of the next football season as the next stage of the project.”

The event also saw a cheque presentation to members of the Youth Side, with £20,000 awarded to the club, from the Football Foundation, for the development of pitch maintenance, as the club has an increasing number of teams including youth and ‘Uniformed’ teams.

Ryan added: “‘Out of The Blue’ is a peer to peer support charity aimed at supporting emergency service personal with their mental health. To find out more head over to their Facebook page ‘Out of the Blue’.”