A short film created by West Ham United and R;pple Suicide Prevention titled Josh’s Story has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2024 Smiley Charity Film Awards.
The winner will be announced at a red-carpet awards ceremony at the world famous ODEON Luxe Leicester Square on 20 March, with voting now open to support Josh’s Story.
The film focuses on how lifelong Hammers fan Alice Hendy set up R;pple Suicide Prevention after losing her only sibling, Josh, to suicide at just 21 years of age in November 2020. Josh had been researching techniques to take his own life via harmful internet searches.
R;pple Suicide Prevention ensures that more help and support is given to individuals searching for harmful content online. The tool intercepts harmful content relating to self-harm and/or suicide through innovative technology to ensure all users searching for harmful content online are presented with an opportunity of hope that things can and will get better.
Since October 2021, R;pple has been implemented across West Ham United, with the Club one of many businesses using the suicide prevention tool alongside the likes of QBE Insurance, Manchester Airport and Save the Children.
In utilising the tool, West Ham United became the first professional football Club to do so, a fact Alice is particularly proud of.
“To have West Ham as the first football Club to deploy this tool is special to me, and it’s also poignant given West Ham is my brother’s Club and my Club,” Alice explained. “It’s deployed to all of the staff and promoted within the Academy. I hope more clubs will follow in West Ham’s footsteps.”
Josh’s Story was released by the Club in September 2023 to mark World Suicide Prevention Day.
Voting for the award is open until 12 March 2024, with the winner announced at the ODEON Luxe Leicester Square the following week.
