Local councillors have backed a Sheffield football charity by becoming its patrons.

FAD FC, Football’s Awareness of Depression Football Community, is a Sheffield-based charity, which seeks to address mental issues through football.

The charity provides footballers, managers, coaches and referees with information on Mental Health and operates a 24 hour support line. The charity has been endorsed by England goalkeeper Peter Shilton and Millie Bright of Doncaster Rovers Belles.

Local councillor Richard Shaw and Caroline Ellwood-Stokes, founder of FAD FC.

The charity has now been backed by Liberal Democrat Councillors for Beauchief & Greenhill, Simon Clement-Jones and Richard Shaw, who have become patrons.

Cllr Simon Clement-Jones, local Liberal Democrat Councillor for Beauchief & Greenhill, said:

“For too long mental health issues have been ignored or simply swept under the carpet.

“FAD FC is a great Sheffield charity, which helps raise awareness of the symptoms of mental health and support those who are in need. I’ve been really impressed by Caroline’s work and Richard and I are delighted to be joining the team as patrons of the charity.”