A local Sunday morning football side have raised more than £1,500 for a local mental health charity after taking part in Movember.
Newton Aycliffe Sports Club FC, who compete in the Wear Valley Sunday League, decided to ‘Brave the Shave’ during November.
Team captain Will Kelly persuaded a number of players and management to take part to help support ManHealth, a locally-based Community Interest Company which provides support to men through a range of methods including training and peer support.
They support men experiencing mental health issues through peer support groups which are all ran by male facilitators who have a lived experience and campaign to raise awareness about men’s health.
The facts are that working aged men (25-54 years old) account for the largest number of suicide deaths in the UK. Suicide is the biggest killer of men aged 50 or under.
• These men are also the least likely to receive any kind of support.
• They don’t talk about it with their friends.
• They don’t share with their family.
• They certainly don’t seek professional treatment.
• They are the victims of problematic thinking that says mental illness is an unmanly signs of weakness.
Ten members from the Sports Club team completed the task of growing moustaches during November and provided weekly updates on social media, showing the progress (or lack of it in some cases) and canvassed rigorously for sponsorship during the month to hit the target set of £500.
By the end of the month, not only was the target achieved, but actually trebled, raising over £1,500 for the ManHealth.
Club chairman Paul Eales said “This is a fantastic achievement for such a worthy cause.
“Some of our team have either gone through difficult times themselves or have friends and colleagues who are either going through or have gone through difficult times also.
“We were proud to help support ManHealth, to try and raise awareness within Newton Aycliffe – a town which has seen mental health issues sadly effect so many.
“We hope what we have raised both in terms of money and more importantly, awareness, will go some way to helping these guys continue their great work in our local community.”
Should anyone wish to find out more information about ManHealth and the fantastic work they do or if you wish to donate then please log on to www.manhealth.org.uk.
