My name is Eddy Ellwood and i have a Gym called Xtreme Fitness .

On the 21st May 2020 During lockdown one, i received news that one of my gym members had taken his own life.(Committed Suicide)

One week later i had another gym member call me at 1.30am struggling to cope,he ended up getting sectioned.

This was very concerning and my curiosity led me to look into the mortality statistics of both Covid and suicides in the under 40’s

Alarmingly there were five times more suicides than Covid deaths in that age group.

I know that I would not have lost this gym member,who’s name was Alan Forcer if my gym was open.

Gyms are essential for physical as well as mental health. I felt morally obligated to help people suffering because of the draconian lockdown restrictions.

I started a support group called MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

We met weekly and helped anyone that needed support.

When it started getting cold outside,I decided to take our outdoor meetings,indoors.

We all met at my gym.

When lockdown two was announced I opened my premises to protest the lockdown

of gyms and I helped many people that were suffering to the many collateral damages of lockdowns

My business was closed and my staff were furloughed.

I informed the police and council, and they came and tried to get me to close and I told them my business as asked was closed

But we were using our fundamental right to protest,which was not breaking the law.

I was not having another Alan,which I saw as a preventable suicide on my conscience!

I lasted 11 weeks protesting before they closed me with an Anti Social behaviour order and the threat of prison If I reopened.

I was never read my rights,charged,fined or arrested.

So after six months I was very surprised to receive a court date.

The local council,was wanting to make an example of me taking me to court.

I stood in my truth and I have sixty five emails off people in support of what I did.

Several thanked me for saving their life

I did good and would do it all again to save someone.

For which the judge gave me a £30,000 fine under the Health and safety at work act and ordered me to pay £26,000 costs

For assisting people who were suffering.

While in the same week our government politicians were fined £50 each for multiple breaches of the rules by attending regular parties, while those who couldn’t visit their elderly parents in homes or hospital were under lockdown house arrest!

This is political hypocrisy and a great British Injustice.

I have appealed the decision that was made by a single magistrate.

It has to be taken higher

We cannot let tyranny remove our human rights.

I’m struggling to raise funds so a friend suggested that I start a fund for justice.

Just because you cannot see the turmoil of mental health, does not say it’s not happening.

Mental health is growing and the awareness of it should be as important as is physical health.

Save those suffering from mental health.