News

GAME ON!! Come and watch the game on Easter Sunday as two local charities go head to head in this exciting match.

Our very own STF Vets Select team take on FC Willowbrook in their very first football battle!

All proceeds raised on the day will be split between both charities to help us continue to support the people we do in the community.

Our STF Vets Select team was established last year and is made up of players from the Army, RAF, Navy, STF Team members and civilians. They have only played a few matches together but have already proved to be a force to be reckoned with!

Back in October last year they were crowned winners of the TV Allstars Celebrity Football Match after securing a 2-0 victory. The lads are across a range of ages and backgrounds, but the camararderie is plain to see, and it’s great to be representing a Tri-Service of players.

Who will take the cup?! Come down and see for yourself on the 31st March.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING OUR STF VETERANS SELECT TEAM, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH!

We are really excited and pleased to announce that local legend and ex-Saints player Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook is our new ambassador for the Foundation to support our Mental Health and Wellbeing initiatives!

Our Founders Andy and John have watched Louie play for Saints since 2009, and followed his career closely over this time. The pure dedication he has shown to not only the club, but also his local town of St Helens is admirable, putting his physical and mental health on the line to play for a team as Andy did when he served for his country in the Armed Forces.

Now that Louie has retired from the club, he doesn’t want to lose his sense of identity and is transitioning to become a Firefighter. Andy knows all too well about setting yourself up for the future by forging a different career path for yourself. The Fire service are passionate about supporting others, especially people with their mental health and Louie seems like a perfect advocate and fit for this.

As we all know, Louie has the most amazing banter, he lifts people’s spirits and there is certainly never a dull moment when he is around! He is also incredibly passionate about the Foundation and the work we do here to support people with mental and physical health and addiction issues.

All of these are fantastic attributes and reasons why we have welcomed him onboard with open arms as our new ambassador.

Louie speaking of his new appointment said:

‘I had no hesitation when Andy and John approached me about doing this, I’ve known both of them a long time now and can honestly say they’re top blokes who are doing a great job with this already, they’ve got the drive and ambition to really help people moving forward.’

Andy Reid MBE commented:

‘It’s fantastic to have Louie on board with the Foundation, he’s a popular lad and fits well with what the Foundation is about, he is concerned about mental health in players who find themselves outside the game and Well-Being in general. These areas are central tenets for my Foundation and we feel Louie’s recruitment, expands our experience and reach.’

Both Louie and Andy will be interviewed by seasoned host Pete Emmett on the 27th April at Saints Stadium for “An Audience with Andy Reid MBE”

Tickets are available HERE.

This week we were delighted to deliver a Wellbeing day here at the hub for Team 1C and the parents of children with cardiac issues.

The day was designed as a series of workshops where they learnt about different coping strategies, raised awareness of self-regulation and how to practice mind management techniques.

They also got a taster in the afternoon of a more holistic approach in the form of Reiki, as well as a physical and mental wellbeing session, and advice with their financial situations.

Massive thanks to our Counsellors Phil and Laura, as well as Kerry and Ellen for their sessions, not forgetting Phil from our partner  Allisons Financial.

We hope you all enjoyed the day and took away some learnings to help you in the future.

If you are interested in us delivering a Wellbeing Workshop for you or your team, please get in touch!

Here are some action pics from the day:

Our Founder Andy Reid MBE recently took part in some filming at Ruskin Sports Village with Sean Fletcher for the prestigious programme Songs of Praise.

The team approached us back in October after hearing Andy’s story and asked whether he would like to be part of a special episode about “New Year, New You” about new challenges he will be facing in 2024.

The episode will air on January 7th 2024 on BBC 1 so make sure you tune in! 

Our week here at the Foundation just keeps getting better! We are delighted to welcome the retail giant that is Home Bargains to our Foundation partner stable.

Home Bargains is one of the UK’s fastest-growing discount retailers, selling top quality, branded goods at low prices, including health and beauty, household, toys, sweets and snacks, home interiors and drinks and alcohol.

Established over 40 years ago in Old Swan, Liverpool, the family-owned and family-run business has grown to become one of the largest privately-owned companies in the UK.

The company has over 600 stores in the UK and employs over 28,500 staff.

The company intends to continue its rapid expansion and has ambitious plans to grow to 800 stores and 35,000 staff.

We are really excited to have them onboard and look forward to working together in the future.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a partner of the Foundation, please get in touch with our Executive Officer Charlie Eke.

charlie@standingtallfoundation.org.uk

We are thrilled to announce that Hughes Driver Training have come onboard as valued partners of the Standing Tall Foundation.

They have already helped tens of thousands of people achieve their ambition to get their HGV Licence since they first opened in 1989. Hughes Driver Training is the largest HGV training school in the UK delivering training Nationwide since it began.

Hughes Driver Training employs many veterans across the business. They are signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant and have been awarded the Silver ERS Award by the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.

As they say – they don’t just get you an HGV Licence, they also get you an HGV Career.

“We are proud to sponsor the Standing Tall Foundation and make it our mission to change people’s lives by obtaining an HGV licence to start a new career with our support every step of their journey.”

We can’t wait to start working with them, and by doing so, we hope to help many of our service users and veterans into new careers moving forward.

Welcome onboard!

Standing Tall Foundation was named St Helens Business of the Year and Social Business of the Year at the St Helens Borough Business Awards. 

Standing Tall Foundation has been awarded the prestigious St Helens Business of the Year, sponsored by Miller Developments at the St Helens Borough Business Awards, which took place on 20th October at the Totally Wicked Stadium. 

In collaboration with St Helens Chamber and St Helens Borough Council – sponsored by Brendon International Ltd, and supported by Faun Zoeller, Lucam Consultancy, Glass Futures and Torus – the St Helens Borough Business Awards recognise and celebrate the success and accomplishments of businesses and people over the past year.    

The St Helens Business of the Year category recognises outstanding achievement, and was chosen from the winners of all the business categories in the St Helens Borough Business Awards. 

Standing Tall Foundation were praised by the judges for the vital work they do, alongside their long-lasting impact on the local community; continuing to provide a fleet of essential services with no Government funding, and acting as a one-stop shop taking service users from a vulnerable situation to a new career and reintegration into society. 

In addition to this, we were also awarded the Social Business of the Year Award. The Social Business of the Year category recognises charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups that deliver essential services, help improve people’s wellbeing and contribute to economic growth. 

Standing Tall Foundation were praised by the judges for their commitment to helping and supporting their local community. They identified clear needs for high level support and guidance to all groups in society as well as at a more meaningful level to individuals.  

Our Founder Andy Reid MBE said:

“I am extremely proud of the team and what we have achieved in the last few years. It is a great honour to have won both awards, and a real testament to the hard work and dedication they have shown to provide the support services we do. The Foundation is all about changing lives and saving lives in the town that I live, and I feel very privileged right now to say that I’m from St Helens.”

Tracy Mawson, Chief Executive at St Helens Chamber, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the volume and calibre of entries to the St Helens Borough Business Awards. It has been a pleasure to see so much talent on display during this year’s judging process. The judges really did have a difficult job on their hands, but I believe we have found some truly outstanding winners.   

“For me the Awards demonstrates the depth and breadth of the business community here in the Borough and that diversity is our strength.”  

Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Economy, Business & Skills at St Helens Borough Council, added: “It’s great to celebrate and recognise some of the many examples of resilience, innovation, and achievements in the local economy. 

“Seeing the calibre of finalists, their stories, their people and progress gives me the utmost certainty that we can look forward with confidence as a borough. The quality of entries this year has been outstanding, and we are proud to host this sell-out event that throws a spotlight on business from all sectors.”    

Massive thanks to everyone that came down to support and watch our charity game on Sunday. It was a fantastic match with our STF Vets Select team coming away victorious with a 2-0 win!

A big shout out to all the celebrities from Hollyoaks, Emmeredale and Coronation Street for taking the time to play, as well as the players, coaches, linesmen, referees and mascots. The event was held at Ruskin Fitness Club in St Helens

Half time was dominated by a game from the Rainford Ladies Athletic under 10’s team vs Pilkington FC Womens under 10’s – thanks so much for taking part, it’s always such a treat to watch the youngsters play and display such a passion for the sport.

Lastly, thanks so much to our friends at Walkers Crisps and Pepsico ,who ran an amazing crisps, sweets and soft drinks stall – all accompanied by some amazing Monster Munch Monsters!

Here are some action pics from the day!

Thanks so much to everyone that came to our Gala dinner and awards night at the majestic Concorde Conference Centre on the 23rd September.

It was a fantastic night with all our Foundation Partners and Friends which saw over 200 guests come together to celebrate their support of the Foundation and the brilliant things we have been able to achieve, and deliver due to that support.

The event, compared by the hilarious Pete Emmett was a huge success and we raised a substantial amount of money on the night, allowing us to deliver more Mental Health Counselling and Addiction support services here at the Foundation.

THE WINNERS

Congratulations to all of the winners on the night, spanning across the 7 different categories.

List of categories and winners as follows:

STANDING TALL FOUNDATION AWARD – Presented by Adam Purshall – Menzies Distribution

This award recognises the outstanding contribution this company or individual has made to the Foundation since it started in 2020.

Winner

Muse Developments

TECH/DESIGN AWARD – Presented by Communications Plus

This award is presented to the company or individual that has offered exceptional technical or design support to the Foundation, to ensure the professional and smooth running of its internal operations.

Winner

Brother UK

ARMED FORCES AWARD – Presented by Karl Davies – TIP

This award is in recognition of the fantastic support a company or individual gives to our Service personnel and veterans.

Winner

Menzies Distribution

SOCIAL IMPACT & COMMUNITY AWARD – Presented by Victoria Morrison – Hughes – Integral Legal

This award recognises the company that has contributed to the development or needs of an individual by helping them and implementing positive change in their lives and the community.

Winner

Communications Plus

LOCAL SERVICES AWARD – Presented by Max Bentham – Muse Developments

This award celebrates the services offered by local businesses in the Northwest region, and the support they have shown not only the Foundation, but the surrounding community.

Winner – Allisons Financial Planning

NEW PARTNER AWARD – Presented by Allie Baglow – Allisons Financial

This Award celebrates our newest Foundation Partners and the support they have shown us so far.

Winner

Bates Office Supplies

ANDY REID MBE SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD – Presented by Andy Reid MBE

This Award is in recognition of the support this organisation has provided to the Armed Forces Community.

Winner

Cakes 4 Casualties

But that’s not all – we’ve got more! Meet Steve Heapy, the CEO of Jet2, and former football legends Liam Dickinson and Rhodri Giggs.

And here’s the best part – your ticket includes a chance to WIN 2 x plane tickets anywhere in Europe! Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity.