Harry Kane is extending his front of shirt sponsorship of Leyton Orient for the 22/23 season, whilst showing his support for improving mental health.
The partnership, which includes the men’s and women’s teams, has been running for the past two seasons, and will now allow the featured charity – Shout.
Shout will benefit from exposure from the League 2 club’s fan-base, and also on a national and international scale, as well as matchday opportunities.
The club stated: “Both the club and Harry are excited to dedicate the front of the home shirt for the 22/23 season to a different charity: this season’s shirts will feature Shout, the UK’s only free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for mental health.”
Shout was launched publicly in May 2019 and has since reported to have taken 1.3 million conversations with people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed, and who need immediate support.
As per the previous seasons, 10% of proceeds of each shirt sale will be passed to the charity. Leyton Orient and Shoutrepresentatives visited the Museum of London to launch this year’s partnerships, where a display on the life and career of Kane is currently being hosted.
The display features Tottenham Hotspur striker’s personal debut Orient shirt, as well as shirts from previous years of his front of shirt partnership. On the deal, he said: “I am really happy to give back to the club”.
Josh Stephens, Head of Commercial from Leyton Orient FC, added: “This partnership continues to deliver. During last season, we were fortunate enough to welcome hundreds of guests from last season’s charity partners, and giving these guests a safe space to come to has been nothing short of an absolute delight. We know we have some new O’s fans, and we can’t wait to welcome them back.
“Mental health continues to be a key driver for both Harry and the club and we are extremely pleased to welcome Shout. The club and all associated with it would like to thank Harry and his team for their continual support for what is an amazing gesture that has continued to be a magical partnership.”
In the last two years, the front of home shirts have been dedicated to the “Thank You Frontline Heroes” message in aid of Barts Charity, and to Tommy Club as part of the Royal British Legion Industries.
Kane continued: “I am thrilled to be sponsoring Leyton Orient’s kits for a third season. I was born only a couple of miles from Orient’s stadium and am really happy to give back to the club that gave me my first professional start.
“I am pleased to welcome Shout to this partnership. Covid has presented many challenges, and these have affected the mental health and wellbeing of many people. Shout provides a vital helpline and resources to the public, helping to positively improve mental health and wellbeing.
“The special charities I have chosen for the front of shirts all mean a lot to me, and I hope this platform will help them receive the exposure and support they need.”
The money raised through the partnership looks to enable the charity to take more conversations that could save lives.
