In March, I will be putting my gumshield where my mouth is and taking part in a Boxing event.

I've signed up, for a few reasons. To have something to train towards, to test my self physically, to overcome something challenging. I guess also to show my children that Daddy isn't totally past it (yet)!

I also realised that all of the above are linked to my mental health. If I'm training I feel better, if I feel I'm succeeding at something I feel better, if I'm being a good role model to my children I feel better.

If mentally I feel good, I'm a better Dad, better partner and better family member. So it's a win win!

Also, of course it is an excellent opportunity to raise money for Charity. 

My chosen charity it MANUP? (https://www.manup.how/)

After reading their website and listening to some of their Podcasts, it instantly resonated with me. It is also currently Men's Mental Health Month, so a perfect time to support such a selfless cause, trying to help my fellow men.

I chose to support MANUP? because I believe the work they are doing is inspiring and sadly more and more essential. They work with businesses, schools, the NHS and other charities to promote their message and deal with the issues around men's mental health. 

They especially focus on how they can convey this message and effect change through social media, a medium through which mental health issues are increasingly arising from.

A few shocking statistics about men's mental health:

-In 2021, there were 5219 male suicides registered in England and Wales.

-Suicide is the biggest cause of death in men under 35 years of age

-1 in 8 men in the UK are suffering from one of the common mental health disorders

-8.7% of men are alcohol dependent (a common unhealthy coping mechanism for mental health issues)

I personally have struggled at times and I'm sure I will have tough moments moving forward... Am I providing enough for my family? Am I good enough partner? Am I a good enough role model for our children? Do we have enough money? Shit I'm getting old... Etc etc

We all have our stresses and life can be hard. But the more we open up, the more we listen, then the easier things become.

We don't need to MANUP, we need to open up.

I'm proud to be fighting for this charity and would be so very grateful for any support you can offer!