Manchester City
In a remarkable initiative to support mental health charities, two football enthusiasts have embarked on a challenging 200-mile walk. Their goal is to raise £5,000, which will be split between S.T.E.P.S. and the Beacon Counselling Trust. The duo, who have been connected through their shared love for football, believe the sport plays a crucial role in mental health awareness, particularly among young men.
Seamus said: “The amount of people back home in Ireland and in England that are affected by the rates of mental health is through the roof. Myself and Odhran have gone through a bit of a tough time ourselves, under different circumstances, and we just thought that to get over those times, we could look forward to something like this to help.”
Odhran said: “I’m 23, and when you’re leaving school or college, it can be very lonely for men our age. Often, football is what gets people talking and it’s probably the only time you’ll see your mates throughout the week. Giving football that spotlight is really the main aim as well.”
Seamus added: “It kind of ruined me for a little bit when I was running out of money and borrowing money. It’s just not a nice life and I was depressed and the Beacon Counselling Trust helped me. It helped us, and we want to give back and help other people.”
The walk is set to conclude on June 16 at Parkhead Stadium, with Seamus and Odhran already deep into their training regime. They are currently clocking over 105 miles a month to prepare for the demanding 31-mile ‘peak’ days on their route. Their journey is being documented on TikTok and Facebook under the handle @Manchester2Paradise, with the hope of inspiring other young men to speak out before reaching a breaking point.
Odhran emphasized the importance of raising funds due to the long waiting list times and underfunding in the NHS for mental health services. The duo’s initiative not only aims to raise money but also to break the stigma surrounding mental health discussions among young men, encouraging them to reach out and seek help.
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