The Mental Health Lottery establishes a new and nationwide source of funding to help smaller grassroots mental health charities like Anxious Minds that work directly with the communities. I Started our charity Anxious Minds in 2015, after struggling to find support for my own mental health, for over two years after leaving the Army with 22 years service. Using my savings and War Pension with the attitude, if you dont like what is happening, then change it.

I have worked for the last five years as a volunteer, Chief Executive officer with what is now a multi-award winning mental health charity and will continue to work as a volunteer with the charity until people in crisis struggling with mental health both adults and children get the support they need and deserve. Nobody should have to go through what I went through when I couldnt find the support I needed for my own mental health.

This is what the Prime Minister said about Eddie.......

Eddie Dean, from Newcastle, used his army pension to fund his charity Anxious Minds and help other veterans struggling with mental health issues. In a personal letter to Eddie, Prime Minister Theresa May said: You have shown remarkable dedication in ensuring veterans can access mental health support with your charity Anxious Minds. You know from first-hand experience what a difference this help can make and now, thanks to your hard work, veterans living in the North East can also benefit from this same support. I want to thank you for your inspiring commitment to supporting men and women, like yourself, who have risked their lives to serve our country.

Cabinet Member for the Community and Voluntary Sector Covid-19

Dear Eddie I do hope both you and your family are keeping safe during this unprecedented crisis brought about by the global Covid-19 pandemic. I have been so impressed to hear about the fantastic support you have offered to North Tyneside Residents during the Covid 19 lockdown. This has been a really challenging time and I really wanted to say thank you to you and everyone working with your organisation for the way you have responded. I am very proud to be the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Community and Voluntary Sector and want to pass on my thanks to everyone involved.

Please stay safe, With best wishes

CAROLE A BURDIS

Eddie I believe charity begins at home and thats why I will never take a penny for my work as Chief Officer of the charity Anxious Minds. Its an honour to support the incredible people like me who are struggling with mental health issues and to be a voice for them. People in crisis need someone to fight for them to get the support they need and deserve. I waited over 18 months for support and then paid privately to get what I needed for my PTSD and depression.

Millions of pounds each year go into buckets to support mental health across the country, yet we see very little changes when trying to access counselling services and support. Each year waiting lists for people with mental health get bigger and support gets less or reduced. People are starting to lose faith with the charity sector and I really dont blame them as some charities Chief Officers and senior managers are amongst the highest paid people in the country, demanding six-figure salaries for the work they do for charity and the countries suicide rate and self-harm statistics continues to grow.

These Chief Executives use the excuse that if they were running large companies, they could demand this salary and that we are paying for their expertise to develop and grow the charity. The only differences is large companies earn the money they make and pay millions in taxes to support the country and communities. When Charities are given money, from grants, taxes and donations to support the communities they serve, the people under the word charity.

CHARITY: a system of giving money, food, or help free to those who are in need because they are ill, poor, or have no home, or any organisation that has the purpose of providing money or helping in this way:

Conservative MP David Davies said: It is extraordinary that charitable organisations and charity bosses are giving themselves bigger pay rises than some people receive in their annual salary.

When we put money in a box for a good cause, it is without realising how much of the money is being used to fund the enormous, eye-watering pay rises for bosses of these organisations.

Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, said: I would like to see at the point of giving, whether thats in the street or online, every charity clearly display the percentage of every pound which goes to the good cause and what goes to administration.

Times are changing as New Charities like Anxious Minds are starting up, charities run by the people for the people were senior management work as volunteers You have a choice where we put your donations .

By playing The Mental Health Lottery or donating to Anxious Minds you will be directly changing and improving mental health services for the people we serve and my promise to you is that 100% of the money we receive from the lottery and every penny we receive from donations will go into expanding our charitys services and not paying Senior Management and Chief Executives salaries.

EVERY WEEK IN BRITAIN THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE JOIN THE WAITING LISTS FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

Thank You

Eddie x

Mental Health Lottery