Hundreds to sleep on The Kop for homeless charity

This article contains references to poor mental health, including suicide. The BBC Action Line contains details about a range of support and advice services

Hundreds of people will sleep on The Kop at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium later to raise awareness of homelessness, addiction and mental health issues on Merseyside.

Now in its fourth year, Kip on The Kop is an annual charity event which also raises money for the club's LFC Foundation.

Football fans will be joined by former Liverpool FC stars and local celebrities including comedian John Bishop and actress Sue Johnston as they sleep overnight at the stadium.

Organiser John Finnigan, who runs Liverpool Homeless Football Club, said: "We are safe on The Kop but the reality for people who are sleeping rough on the streets [is that] it is horrendous."

More than 450 people are expected to gather for the event.

Supporters will be joined by former players including Chris Kirkland and Sammy Lee as well as LFC Women's captain Niamh Fahey.

In total, Kip on The Kop has helped to raise more than £220,000 for the LFC Foundation's work.

Former Reds goalkeeper Kirkland, who was forced to retire from football in 2016 due to mental health issues, will be taking part.

The LFC Foundation ambassador, who was at Anfield between 2001 and 2006, said it took him "10 years to admit the truth" and seek help for anxiety, depression, and prescription painkiller addiction.

"It affects your job, it affects your relationships, it can affect everything," he added.

"I was in a really bad place. I kept it to myself. I stood on a roof in 2016, not wanting to be here anymore."

He urged anyone in a similar situation: "You can't be embarrassed, and you can't be scared. You have to speak to someone."

Kirkland said while talking about your struggles "doesn't fix everything straight away" it can help to give "a little bit of hope" during the toughest of times.

"I still have days where you get up and think 'I can't be bothered today' but on those days you put one foot in front of the other and you go again."

Liverpool FC runs Kicking Off Conversations, a permanent hub on matchdays where people can talk with specialists about their mental wellbeing.

It is part of the a Premier League initiative to offer specialist support and confidential advice to fans.

Kirkland said he hoped that speaking about his own experiences would give others the confidence to open up.

"It takes you a long time to understand how you're feeling," he said.

"But it's about normalising those conversations."

If you are affected by any issues raised in this article support can be found at BBC Action Line

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