Andrew Hird
Andrew's The Smuggler page
Fundraising for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
I got into working within mental health in about 2001 after the death of a very close friend (and the guitarist of a band I was in at the time). It had a huge impact on my life, and has been an encouragement when I have felt the impact of this current government's 'care' toward those with mental illness. I have lost two very good friends to suicide and I want to raise money to support a wonderful charity that does a lot to address suicidal thoughts in young men.
In 2013, male suicide accounted for 78% of all suicides and is the single biggest cause of death in men aged 20 – 45 in England and Wales. Think about that statistic for a minute. Suicide is the single biggest killer of men between the ages of 20-45 in England and Wales. It tops heart disease, cancer, alcohol/illicit substance use and gun and knife crime.I currently work for a great charity, however for the past year and a half I worked in a prison in my capacity as a mental health nurse - where suicide, low mood and self harm was never far away. We all have friends, family and work colleagues that we worry about from time to time; sometimes a lot more than should be necessary. The charity I want to support are excellent. They have two offices - one in the capital (Liverpool) and one in a little city in the south (London, ha). Even if you don't want to donate, then please check out their website. Cheers, thanks, and if you are feeling low then give those good people at CALM a call.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.