Suicide is the single biggest killer of men under 50 in the UK. Around 4600 men every year decide to take their own life which has a devastating impact on loved ones left behind. Suicide in men is a huge and underappreciated problem and the historical stigma that surrounds mental health in men is such that the majority feel unable to share their problems in fear that it will be seen as a weakness on their behalf.

This pandemic was brought to light to all of us at the club after a tragedy surrounding one of the team, Brad, last summer whereby his father, Stephen, succumbed to taking his own life after a battle with mental health problems. Since then we have all been committed to trying to make a difference by spreading the word on mental health amongst men and that #itsokaytotalk. As well as promoting support groups on shirts during training/warm-ups, on the 18th March as a club we will be doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in order to raise money for our two causes, the Stephen Gartland Foundation and #andysmanclub.

The Stephen Gartland Foundation was set up in memory of the aforementioned with the aims of providing funds to children requiring operations or means to participate in sport and to support the opening of new support clubs for men.

#andysmanclub was set up last year. Since then the movement has gained huge momentum from social media and campaigning, with the #itsokaytotalk gaining global coverage. The organisation is committed to setting up support groups where men can come together in a safe environment to talk about issues/problems they have been facing or are currently facing. So far, users of the service have noticed astounding results.

At DURL we are committed to supporting the growth of the movement around men’s mental health awareness. Please give generously to help us achieve our ambitious target to provide some grandfathers, fathers, sons and friends with a lifeline that they most desperately need.

Thank you.