SUPPORT has already started ramping up for a charity basketball event taking place next month in aid of men’s mental health.
The Andy’s Man Club Basketball Charity Event is scheduled for June 25 at Barnsley College’s Honeywell site and will aim to raise funds for the charity – which now hosts two men’s mental health support groups in the borough.
Hundreds of pounds of raffle prizes have already been donated including free gym memberships, a signed Barnsley FC shirt, and Harlem Globetrotters tickets.
Organiser for the event and Barnsley team Kingstone Knights basketball player, Dean Heseltine, said: “The reason behind me setting up the event was to let men know there is support out there no matter what situation they are going through.
“Through my own experience and friends, I have seen the struggles that can occur when men feel like there is no place to go and nobody to confide in.
“Andy’s Man Club give men a third party outlet where they can go and talk without pressure or judgement, and in some cases this can be the difference between an individual making progress and taking his own life.
“If contributing to this great charity changes the mind of one man and gives him the opportunity to speak, then it’s all worth it.”
Dean also thanked local business and individuals for providing ‘fantastic’ support and raffle prizes so far.
The event will feature a day of basketball games followed by a raffle – there will also be a bar open on the site where people can purchase refreshments.
People can enter to take part in the day by contacting Dean Heseltine directly on Facebook and more information can be found on the event’s Facebook group page – ‘Basketball Charity Event (Andy’s Man Club)’.
