Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online.  We want to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. #ITSOKAYTOTALK

I first learned of ANDYSMANCLUB when visiting friends in Bridlington, and their aim, structure and purpose immediately resonated, given my own experience with mental health issues and the loss of friends to suicide.

In 2019 suicide was the largest cause of death for men aged 20-49 in the UK, and men aged 45-49 had the highest rate of suicide with 25.5 deaths per 100,000 people.

This statistic is both tragic and horrifying and really has to be addressed by any means.  While I'm not currently in a position to establish local support for ANDYSMANCLUB, I'd like to at least offer what little I can in terms of fundraising, hence this page.

I started running (following the Couch to 5k) at the start of lockdown in 2020; those who know me will know that this was a big deal - I didn't run.  And I used to feel tired just thinking about running to the end of the road (no lie)...  I've subsequently progressed to "racing" the Ribble Valley 10k in 2021 (via a broken foot), then to the Tewkesbury and Cheltenham half marathons in 2022, so a marathon seemed like the obvious progression (not something I *ever* thought I'd write)!  At least Manchester is flat...

I'm also running the Newport half marathon at the start of March and the Forest of Dean Spring Trails half as part of the training plan.  Who'd have guessed this from a generally sub-active mid-40s slightly overweight man who used to have a breakfast of Coca-Cola and Kit-Kats...

Any donation you choose to give will be hugely appreciated no matter the size.  Even a simple share to raise awareness of ANDYSMANCLUB would be welcome.

The first rule about ANDYSMANCLUB is IT’S OKAY TO TALK at ANDYSMANCLUB.

Okay, so here goes, first time for everything...  My name's Andy, I've suffered from depression for many years, it has been horribly debilitating at times, and I want to do something to help others in this situation.  I really hope you will support me, thanks for your time!