The Prince of Wales will visit a new mental health hub being set up in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium later.

The Jac Lewis Foundation, created in memory of the former Swansea City academy player who took his own life in 2019, has partnered with the Welsh Rugby Union and The Royal Foundation to provide counselling and transport costs to those in need.

More than 7,000 people die by suicide each year in the UK, with 19 lives lost every day.

The hub will provide support to hundreds of people who may be at risk of suicide, operating as a safe and supportive place where people can drop in to access professional wellbeing and mental health services.

During Prince William’s visit, which coincides with World Suicide Prevention Day, he will meet some of Jac’s family and friends, including his father Jesse and teammates from Jac’s football team, Ammanford FC, in Carmarthenshire.

Two of Jac’s friends, Shaun Williams and Rhys Fisher, told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast: “We’ve been practicing our bows.”

“I’m just proud of where we’ve come from, it started in a small town in Wales and now we’re meeting Prince William,” said Mr Fisher

The prince will also talk to the Welsh Rugby Union and Swansea City about the role of sport within communities and how they can use their platform to influence better mental health among players and fans.

The Jac Lewis Foundation is a charity based in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, which was set up to provide access to mental health and wellbeing support in communities across Wales.

The organisation aims to ensure that everyone, no matter their age, can access rapid support for mental health and offers other services to help with practical issues relating to housing, finance, training and legal matters.

The new hub in the Principality Stadium is based on the organisation’s existing services which operate at Ammanford FC and Swansea City.

The Royal Foundation’s partnership will enable the hub in Cardiff to operate for one day per week over three years.

Jac started playing football at the age of five and went on to join Swansea City’s academy, eventually being released aged 14. He joined Llanelli for a while before returning to hometown club Ammanford.

“His passion was always football, he always wanted to play at the highest level,” his father Jesse previously said.

“I made him have a trade (he was a carpenter) and it kept him in money, it gave him a reason to get up in the morning and go to work.

“But I just think he felt a little bit of a failure because he didn’t achieve what he wanted to in football.”

Jesse said there were other factors at play, and his son gave up regular football near the end of his life and began taking drugs.

Jac never knew that his death would lead to many lives being saved.

Mr Williams and Mr Fisher said he was a larger than life character who had a positive impact on everyone he met.

“He’d hate all the fuss that he’s having, especially today, but its the legacy he’s continued to give,” Mr Fisher said.

“Unfortunately, Jac needed the foundation, which wasn’t there.

“From a tragic event, we’re glad something like this has come about.

“It was only supposed to be a tiny counselling service in Ammanford, we’re so proud of where we’ve come from, and all of the amazing people that work in the foundation.”