08 April 2026 •
Local rail operator c2c Railway has announced that its Kick4Kindness football tournament will again be taking place at Southend United’s Roots Hall stadium this May.
c2c has announced that its popular Kick4Kindness football tournament will be returning to Southend United’s Roots Hall stadium for a second consecutive year on Thursday 21 May.
The 9-a-side tournament, which is raising vital funds and awareness for Basildon Mind, SECE (South East and Central Essex) Mind and Basildon & Thurrock and Southend Samaritans, will see ten rail industry teams battling it out to be crowned Kick4Kindness champions 2026, a title which was claimed by Govia Thameslink Railway in 2025.
Commenting, Iain Palmer, c2c’s Head of Revenue Protection & Security and Kick4Kindness Event Director, said:
“Last year’s Kick4Kindness tournament was a huge success, with our industry coming together on and off the pitch to raise vital awareness and a fantastic £7k for local mental health charities.
“With it estimated that one in four adults in England experience a mental health problem at some point each year, the work and availability of services provided by Mind and Samaritans has never been more vital to so many people.
“I would like to thank our partners at Southend United for hosting us on the hallowed turf at Roots Hall – a famous pitch which has been graced by some of football’s biggest names – and we can’t wait to get back out there with our industry friends and partners to help raise as much money and awareness for these important charities as we possibly can.”
Denise Kent, CEO, Basildon Mind, said:
“We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of c2c and Southend United, and we and SECE Mind are delighted to be named again as a charity partner for this year’s Kick4Kindness tournament.
“Mental health affects so many people, and the work of charities like ours is only possible thanks to events like Kick4Kindness where the power of football brings people together to make a positive impact.
“As an independent charity, the funds raised will make a real difference to those struggling with mental health challenges in our community.“
Rob Lee from Basildon & Thurrock Samaritans said:
“We are incredibly grateful for the support of c2c and Southend United once more for the Kick4Kindness football tournament. Every pound raised helps us continue to be there, day and night, for anyone struggling to cope.
“This teamwork, generosity and community spirit will make a real difference to people who need someone to listen.
“Thank you for standing with Samaritans.”
Rylee Doe, Commercial & Marketing Manager at Southend United, said:
“Last year’s Kick4Kindness was a roaring success and we’re delighted to host our friends at c2c for a second year on the famous Roots Hall pitch. Here’s to another year of raising thousands of pounds for brilliant, local charities.”
If you would like to get involved with this year’s Kick4Kindness tournament, either by entering a team or providing support on the day, then please contact Julian Williams on Julian.Williams@c2crail.net for further details.
This year’s Kick4Kindness tournament will see participating teams compete in small 9-a-side games during the group and semi-final stages, with the final being 11-a-side on the full Roots Hall pitch.
Notes to Editors
About c2c
- c2c is the award-winning train operator running services between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, serving 26 stations in East London and South Essex.
- c2c is one of the UK’s most punctual and popular train operators and nearly 37.3 million journeys are made on its services every year.
- The operation of all c2c services transferred into public ownership on Sunday 20 July 2025 and is managed by DFTO (DfT Operator Ltd).
- For more information email mediaenquiries@c2crail.net
About DFTO
- DFTO is the government’s public sector rail owning group. Its purpose is to bring all currently privately-owned train operators into public ownership in advance of the creation of Great British Railways in 2027.
- The group’s current train operating companies are: c2c, Greater Anglia, LNER, Northern, Southeastern, South Western Railway, TransPennine Express and WM Trains (London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway).
- DFTO runs more than 8,500 services each weekday and delivers more than 660 million customer journeys across its networks every year.
About Samaritans
- Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.
About Mind
- Basildon Mind is an independent mental health charity working in Basildon, Billericay & Wickford which is affiliated to the national Mind charity.
- SECE Mind provides supported housing, counselling, mental health training and mental health signposting to anyone who needs it. SECE Mind serves the Chelmsford, Castle Point, Rochford, South Woodham Ferrers and Southend areas.
Images
Featured Image: Kick4Kindness 2025
Second Image: Southend United’s Roots Hall stadium