McPhillips football tournament supports mental health awareness
A charity football tournament hosted by Shropshire Company of the Year McPhillips, raised more than £3,000 for Mates in Mind, the organisation promoting awareness of mental health in the construction industry.
A dozen teams representing companies from across the McPhillips supply chain battled it out at Shrewsbury Town FC’s Croud Meadow football ground, with the team from Traffix declared winners on the day.
Donations and a raffle helped secure the grand total of £3,180, and Corporate Fundraising Manager with Mates in Mind Laura Howdill was on hand to share information of the support available to promote positive mental health.
Construction workers in the UK are nearly four times more likely to die by suicide than the national average. The industry faces a severe mental health crisis, with statistics indicating that an average of two construction workers take their own life every single day.
Laura said: “Attending the McPhillips’ 5-a-side football tournament was fantastic as it gave me the opportunity to raise awareness of mental health, raise vital funds for the charity, and to share how, at Mates in Mind, we work collaboratively with organisations of any size to create a culture of prevention by focusing on evidence-informed primary and secondary interventions.
“We recommend that organisations educate, train and support all employees across the whole workforce to ensure everyone has the skills, clarity and confidence on how to raise awareness, improve understanding, implement effective interventions, end the stigma of mental ill-health.
“We want to ensure there is a continuous and comprehensive solution in place so that no-one reaches crisis point and mental health awareness becomes everyone’s responsibility. Together, we can build positive mental health in and through our work.”
McPhillips Director Stuart MacKenzie - who played for all three of the company’s teams - said: “It was a brilliant day, really well attended and played in a very competitive spirit! Huge thanks to our very own Jack Clements for organising.
“Looking after the well-being of our own employees is a non-negotiable priority for us at McPhillips, and we were proud to support Mates in Mind and their work to raise awareness of mental health in the construction industry. We all need to keep our mates in mind.”
Following the success of the 2025 McPhillips Community Fund, the company has pledged a further £20,000 to the fund this year, with a focus on men's mental health and veterans in particular.
The theme was shaped by the views of McPhillips' 220-strong team, with more than half selecting mental health and wellbeing as their priority cause, subsequently refined to reflect the company's longstanding commitment as a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant.
The charity football tournament was a positive way for staff to raise both money and awareness. Tournament organiser Jack Clements said the day had a been a huge success, and thanked all of the teams taking part PSR Solutions, WSP, Start Tech, Midland Plant Training & Testing Ltd, GroundShore, Kendalls, Traffix and Town and Country Fencing (Midlands) Ltd.
