Tuesday, 10th September marked Suicide Prevention Day, an important day when charities and organisations unite to raise awareness of the steps we can take to reduce suicide rates.
In the UK, 1 in 4 people experience a mental health issue each year, and an average of 115 people die by suicide every week, with 75% of these deaths being men.
Kick Start FC, a charity that uses football to provide peer support for individuals facing poor mental health and social isolation, stepped up to make a difference. The charity also aims to challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
This year’s Suicide Prevention Day coincided with the England Men’s Football Team’s UEFA Nations League match against Finland at Wembley Stadium. To raise awareness and crucial funds for their services, a group of Kick Start FC volunteers completed a two-day, 71-mile walk from Ludgershall in Wiltshire to Wembley Stadium in London.
The walk was broken down into two stages:
- Day One: Ludgershall to Reading (approximately 37.5 miles)
- Day Two: Reading to Wembley Stadium (approximately 34.1 miles)
Funds raised from the walk will support Kick Start FC’s Football Therapy services and other community projects aimed at promoting mental health awareness. The charity’s initial target of £1,000 was exceeded, with £2,300 raised at the time of writing, and donations continuing to come in via their JustGiving page.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Kick Start FC founder Michael Cunningham said, “It was great to get out there and do this, and we’re so happy to have smashed our original target. This money is a great boost to the work we’re doing. It was tough, but we all pulled together and kept our spirits up. A huge thanks to everyone that has donated.”
After completing the challenging walk, the team arrived at Wembley in time to watch England’s 2-0 win over Finland. After two hard days on the road, they celebrated by relaxing with a pint and meeting former England international and Wigan Athletic coach Tom Huddlestone.
For more information on Kick Start FC and their ongoing efforts to support mental health through football, visit www.kickstartfc.org. Every donation makes a difference, and you could help save a life.
