Maidenhead United Football Club works with several entities to offer initiatives benefiting the local community. Of these, Michael Shanly’s philanthropic organisation, ShanlyFoundation, has provided long-standing assistance, particularly to the club’s partnership with the CampaignAgainst Living Miserably (CALM) charity.
Shanly Foundation and Maidenhead United FC share a mission to support vital causes. Both have made extensive efforts to strengthen community life in the market town.
Support From CALM
CALM supports individuals who are struggling with life. It doesn’t matter who these people are, what their backgrounds are, or which challenges they are facing. The initiative provides life-saving services, runs national campaigns, and builds communities for everyone.
The organisation places a special emphasis on supporting men: In England and Wales, suicide in men is three times more common than in women. This gap has grown over time, with the suicide rate amongst women nearly halving between 1981 and 2023.
The reasons behind the prevalence of male suicide are complex. However, the charity Samaritans has referred to the social expectations many men experience, which may make them less likely to talk about suicidal thoughts or seek help for these.
The charity has also noted that some risk factors, such as relationship breakdown, increases the risk of suicide in men more significantly.
Those needing support can access advice and resources on the CALM website. They can also have free, confidential conversations with helpline staff, both online and over the phone, on any day of the year.
Staff are available to talk about any problems, from anxiety and suicidal thoughts to relationship, money, and health worries. They answer a call every 59 seconds to help individuals work through their challenges and plan for the future.
Raising Awareness of CALM
For the past two football seasons, all Maidenhead United teams have been wearing the CALM logo on the front of their shirts. These include the men’s first team, women’s first and development teams, under-19 and under-16 academy teams, junior teams, performance teams, and walking teams. Even the replica shirts feature the logo.
Beyond Maidenhead United’s efforts, other organisations have stepped in to support CALM. Shanly Foundation has worked with the football club for many years and supported its CALM initiative for the past two. The foundation is one of the club’s nine current partners, which raise awareness through campaigns and activities focusing on suicide prevention, especially amongst men in the local community.
Shanly Foundation’s Philanthropic Support
Shanly Foundation grants funds to charities to help them make a difference in their communities. These funds take different shapes to meet numerous needs, whether bringing books to children in hospitals, bereavement services to those experiencing loss, or support to those facing mental health challenges.
Since 1969, Shanly Foundation and Shanly Group have gifted more than £28 million to a variety of causes. Most are based across Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, West Sussex, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckinghamshire.
Statutory income cuts and the cost of living crisis make it difficult for many organisations to fund their critical work. Because of this, in 2024, Shanly Foundation increased the level and variety of grants it awards. Last year alone, it increased donations by 11% year-on-year, awarding 493 grants to the value of £1.8 million.
Find more information on Shanly Foundation’s grants.
About Michael Shanly
After many years of charitable giving, Michael Shanlyestablished Shanly Foundation in addition to his regional housebuilding business Shanly Homes and his commercial property investment and development business SorbonEstates. These sister organisations contribute to economic growth in various market towns.
Shanly Foundation donates more than £1.75 million to organisations in need every year. Its substantial contributions enable many individuals to enhance their quality of life and access critical support services.
In 2021, The Sunday Times Giving List recognised Michael Shanly as one of the top 200 philanthropists in the UK.
