Staff at The Beaumont Hospital in Bolton raised more than £4,000 during a charity football match in memory of a member of the team.

They came together in hopes of raising more awareness and money for mental health charity Mind.

Olympic Pole-vaulter and bronze medallist, Holly Bradshaw, attended the event to lend her support.

More than 300 people from the hospital and the community turned out to support the teams during the game in August at Coppull United Football Club's ground.

The Bolton News: Materials manager Damien Howlett, who assisted in organising the event, added: “Men’s mental health or mental health, in general, are just words until actions are taken, actions can be as little as a hello to a small corridor conversation to an in-depth conversation over a cup of tea.

“The penultimate aim is to start the conversation and follow it through using active listeners and maintaining transparent bonds with someone. 

“This doesn’t have to be your mum, dad, brother, or sister - this could be someone completely random as they have no understanding of your past or present and are impartial to your surroundings.”

One in four people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England. However, only one in five people ever talk about it.

The event was held to bring people from across the hospital community together, with the goal of raising awareness of the charity's work to support those suffering from mental health related conditions.

Mind was The Beaumont Hospital’s chosen charity for 2023 with all the cash from JustGiving going to the organisation.

The decision to choose Mind was something that the football club collectively decided on, with Circle Health Group and other sponsors lending their support.

Damien said: “I was humbled to learn how much the event meant to people, which raised over £4,000, achieving more than we ever anticipated.”

David Pearson, executive director at The Beaumont Hospital, said: "Mind does incredible work in communities like ours and across the country to raise awareness, promote understanding and improve services.

“They campaign tirelessly to ensure that those suffering with mental health problems know that they are not alone.

“Their work means a great to all of us here at The Beaumont Hospital and we are proud to be playing our part in supporting their vital work."

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