A North East-based professional football club has donated shirt sponsorship to a County Durham charity.

Durham Women FC’s Barclays WSL Academy squad have said that they are "proudly supporting" County Durham-based charity 'If U Care Share' this season – with their logos now adorning the front of their playing shirts.

With their roots in nearby Chester-le-Street, If U Care Share’s mission is to save lives, support communities and prevent suicide.

They provide a range of services fundamental to their three main aims of prevention, intervention and supporting those bereaved by suicide.

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The team at If U Care Share reaches some of the most vulnerable people in society to support them in their time of need, and they also offer training and workshops on mental health and suicide prevention.

DWFC and If U Care Share have collaborated in the past; both the first-team and academy squads have benefitted from workshops run by the charity this season – as have a host of other clubs in the both male and female games.

A spokesperson for the club said: "In a bid to support If U Care Share’s fantastic work, we’re delighted to confirm that their logo will be displayed on our Academy team’s playing shirts for the remainder of the 2022/23 season."

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Dawn Hepple of Durham Women FC said: "We are delighted to be working with If U Care Share – a local charity to us, but with a nationwide reach.  

"It’s a privilege to be able to help them in any way we can by spreading the word and we jumped at the chance to have their logo on our Academy team strip.  

"Please check out their website as they have a range of services to help them achieve their very clear objectives of prevention, intervention and supporting those bereaved by suicide.  

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"Their work with sports clubs in particular highlights massively important mental health issues and their workshops are invaluable to all involved from grassroots up to professional level. I would urge anyone involved in sports at any level to contact them and get involved."

Matthew Smith, Founder of If U Care Share added: "We are delighted to receive this support from Durham Women, as an organisation based in the County of Durham and supporting people across the region, it’s fantastic to receive support from our local women’s club.

"As a charity, we know the power of football and the support it can offer to communities and we are extremely grateful to the club for our new partnership and the opportunity to reach more people in the area."