Debbie Beard and Amanda Thorpe, who both lost their husbands to suicide, have united to support a new nationwide toolkit for suicide prevention in sport. The initiative, launched by the Prince of Wales and the Royal Foundation, aims to make suicide prevention a core part of sports culture at every level.
Matt Beard, former Liverpool Women manager, died in hospital on 20 September 2025, with his death believed to be by suicide. Amanda Thorpe's husband, former England and Surrey cricketer Graham Thorpe, took his own life in 2024 after experiencing depression following job loss.
The 'On Your Side' resources are designed to be available online, with the goal of making suicide prevention as integral to sport as warm-up and training. Both women shared their experiences, highlighting the struggles their husbands faced, including job loss and mental health challenges.