Latest news with #AndysManClub
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Memory of young man who died by suicide honoured with new space in town park
A beautiful woodland walk has been opened in memory of a young man in a bid to help those going through difficult times. Arron Whalley was described as a "gentle giant" with a "heart of gold", who tragically took his own life at the age of 31 in 2021. After her son's death, Maxine Whalley took it upon herself to help other people who are struggling with their mental health. She said: "I wouldn't want anyone else to go through what I've gone through - and losing so many of Arron's friends as well. "We felt our mental health services were failing everyone - I'm not saying we can replace the mental health service - but if you can do something early on." Many organisations set up stalls for the grand opening (Image: Tracy Gerrard) Originally, she planned to install just a bench in Arron's memory, but the project grew into something bigger. Whalley's Woodland Walk was officially opened in Moses Gate Country Park in Farnworth over the weekend. The opening was marked with activities and many charities and organisations setting up stalls - including Samaritans, Andy's Man Club, Bolton Manbassadors, Willow Hey and Bolton at Home. Arron Whalley Maxine said: "Arron would absolutely love this. "It's very cliche but he was the life and soul of the party - everyone knew him or knew someone who did. "I think it was a shock to all of his friends when it happened, he would put all over his Facebook page - it's good to talk inbox me - and he was always there for his friends. "He wanted his friends to come to him, but didn't want to reach out to them." Maxine Whalley had been campaigning to get the space after losing her son in 2021 (Image: Tracy Gerrard) While the name is inspired by Arron, Maxine said this wasn't her original intention at all. She said: "I didn't want my son's name in it, and to be just for him. "It was Cllr Paul Sanders who came up with the logo for me, and Whalley apparently means woodland by the water, so we just thought - that's fate. "It was a brilliant weekend and it was lovely, we'll be doing a relaunch next year that will be a lot bigger and better." Maxine said that she couldn't have done it without the help of her friend Janet Fitton, who was involved with the project from the start. Janet said: "It used to be just a cut through and people can't believe how beautiful it is. "I just felt like somewhere was needed for everybody to have a quiet space. "People were all saying, 'we can't believe it, we have been coming for years and years and never come to this side because it was pointless - but we'll definitely be coming back now! "It feels like you're getting a hug from the trees, there really is something about the place that feels quite magical." 'There really is something about the place that feels quite magical' (Image: Tracy Gerrard) Janet said that they're planning to put a notice board up in the area with contacts for mental health support - as well as a statue, or "some kind of monument to mental health". They also plan to put in flower gardens and keep working to make the place as nice as it can be. Have a story? Get in touch at Cllr Richard Silvester, Bolton Council's cabinet member for climate change and the environment, cut the ribbon to officially open the area. He said: "The request from Maxine followed the loss of a close family member to suicide and a wider awareness of other young men locally who had lost their lives in similar circumstances. "I fully supported the request and so had no hesitation in making the decision for the designation of this contemplative space known as Whalley's Woodland and I want to thank Maxine for everything that she has done. "There are clear links to being outdoors, being active and positive mental health. Cllr Richard Silvester cut the ribbon to officially open the space (Image: Tracy Gerrard) READ MORE: Farnworth residents call for improvements to small parks READ MORE: Bolton Council launches green spaces vision consultation READ MORE: Bolton West MP Phil Brickell welcomes new water reforms "The use and maintenance of parks in the Bolton borough are a real benefit for all that access these spaces. "The message, therefore, is that Whalley's Woodland and all of the work which Maxine has taken has our full support at Bolton Council. "By providing this space for contemplation and supporting those who have lost friends and family members, we can bring together everyone who has been impacted by mental health across the Bolton borough."
BBC News
03-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Men complete Channel swim relay in honour of friend
"Exhausting and emotional" is how one man has described taking part in a 16-hour swim relay across the English Baber, from Rothwell in Leeds, undertook the challenge along with three friends at the end of July in honour of his friend Mick Atkinson, a former dog handler with North Yorkshire Police, died by suicide in 2018 and since his death, dozens of cyclists have taken part in the Tour de Aky, a cycle ride around Yorkshire in his up by Mr Atkinson's friend Pierre Olesqui, the event has raised more than £100,000 for charities."We wanted to keep that legacy going, do something different, change the challenge up and do something that was completely, pardon the pun, out of our depths," Mr Baber said. The 41-year-old was joined in the challenge by Dave Young, 40, from York, 50-year-old Nathan Pawlowski, from Kendall, and Kevin Lacks-Kelly, 45, from challenge aimed to raise funds for two charities - the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Andy's Man Baber said they just wanted to raise money by "showing people what can be done through mental strength"."You can do something incredible with just mental strength and teamwork and that is exactly what we did." Channel swims are administered and observed by the Channel Swimming Association and the rules are strict, Mr Baber order of swimimng and the changeover times cannot be altered during the Baber said he had been excited for his first swim but it had been a "very long hour"."I was really looking forward to getting in, the seas were quite rough so the boat was really going, the problem was the seasickness hits in that first swim and you've got to let nature to take its course."He said he had assumed that he would be able to rest for three hours before getting back into the sea but that was not the case."You had to get back on the boat, but then with that recovery from the seasickness you were drained."You can't do the normal things, you can't take on fluids because they come back up, you can't take on food and anything solid because there's a danger that's going to come back up."The recovery was so difficult and I was green for a good two hours." Mr Baber said for him the second hour's swim was "much harder"."The weather had gone quite overcast, the water looked black, I was cold and when I jumped in it was like jumping into an ice bath."Once I got going it was alright and then the jellyfish hit. Nobody can prepare you for the jellyfish. It was horrifying."As the men moved further towards France, Mark said he realised looking back at Dover how far they had come but how far they still had to go."You feel very lonely and very isolated," he they persevered with the support of the boat's captain, Peter Reed and team manager Victoria Baber, along with an official observer from the Channel Swimming 15 hours and 59 minutes after leaving the UK they reached France."We were very tired by the end of it," he said."Physically it is tiring, emotionally it is just exhausting."By the time you get to that beach in France it's a double-edged sword, you are happy to be there but you can't wait to get back as well." He said the men he had done the challenge with had all been "incredible" even in the worst moments when the small boat felt like "a pressure cooker" and he did not want to get back into the sea."I don't think I could have a better time with them again," he Mick Atkinson in whose name they had taken on the challenge, Mr Baber said: "I knew him all my life until he lost that battle with mental health."He was the biggest, happiest guy in the room. It was such a shock to find out what we saw was not what Mick was feeling."He said the annual bike ride and the challenges like the one he and his friends had undertaken along with the work being done by charities like Andy's Man Club were helping people see it was "good to talk"."I think these days with the mental health battles people are going through, people are a lot better at talking about and it is helping." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Yahoo
'The Bolton wanderer' returns from epic trek from UK to Italian city
A Bolton wanderer has made it home from Milan after completing a 56-day trek from Manchester to the Italian city. Kai Flynn embarked on the journey in order to raise money for mental health charities , Andy's Man Club and Breaking Barriers, a Bolton charity that helps support young disabled children and adults. The 24-year-old faced gruelling mountain ranges and an allergic reaction on his way to the Lombardian capital in Northern Italy, which saw him in hospital in France. "It was just incredible," Kai said. More: Tourists on cafe-less Pendle Hill - 'We could have starved if not for mint cake' More: This coastal walk with 'beautiful views' is Lancashire's best More: 'Mesmerising' waterfall walk with 'breathtaking' views that's an hour from Bolton "I was nearly bawling in tears when I arrived in Milan." Kai came across what he described as "crazy" thunderstorms while he was crossing the Alps. (Image: Kai Flynn) He also took a more direct route, which entailed wild camping in the Jura mountains, which are a short distance north of the Western Alps along the French-Swiss border. He added: "It was surprisingly hot, and it was amazing to speak to loads of different people in the rural communities. (Image: Kai Flynn) "Everyone was so friendly, and I was speaking to people from Canada, and all across the world really. "They were obviously quite shocked when they found out why I was there and thought I was mad." The Bolton lad now wants to "walk across the world" and has his sight set on a three-year walking trip over to Asia. "I've realised this is what I'm here to do, this is my purpose," he added. Kai raised £2,200, £700 over his initial target, for mental health charities. He said: "I want to give opportunities to people and young people who haven't had the best start in life. "Whether that's clothes on their back, an Xbox, or a holiday to somewhere else in the UK. "It's important to me that those less fortunate are helped by the walks I'm doing." Back home safe and sound, the music producer's next walk is "one in the park" by comparison - a short trek from Middlebrook to Bolton town centre as part of an organised fundraiser.
BBC News
01-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Rockbeare teen in 1,000-mile journey in memory of brother
A Devon 17-year-old is preparing for a 1,000-mile (about 1,600km) walk and cycle from John O'Groats to Land's End. Skye, from Rockbeare, near Exeter, is starting the journey on 5 July in memory of her brother Ryan, who took his own life at the age of 27. The goal is to raise funds for Andy's Man Club, a charity dedicated to providing mental health support for her on parts of the journey will be her 10-month-old Springer Spaniel, Nova. Ryan, the youngest of Skye's three older brothers, was known for his kindness, humour, and passion, said had also participated in a charity boxing match for Andy's Man Club in memory of a friend who had passed away. Despite his struggles with mental health, which he often kept from his younger siblings to protect them, Ryan's legacy continued to inspire Skye, she said."Losing Ryan was a pain that my family and I will never be able to explain and it affected us all differently," she said."Andy's Man Club was very close to Ryan's heart."Skye's mother, Yvonne, will also be supporting her daughter throughout the journey. "We're hoping to meet Skye at various points along the route and walk back towards her," she said. "Once we get to Cornwall and Devon, I'll join her for much of the coastal path."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fun, food & fundraising at the Ruby Lodge Care Home May fair
Residents at Ruby Lodge Care Home in Thirsk are looking forward to welcoming the local community to their May Fair event, taking place on Saturday, 31st May from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The event promises to be a fun-filled morning for all ages, with a vibrant selection of stalls, entertainment, and activities—all while raising money for a meaningful cause. 'This year's May Fair will support Andy's Man Club, a charity dedicated to suicide prevention and promoting mental health awareness for men," commented home manager Holly Hunton. "We care for many male residents here at Ruby Lodge and know how important it is to help break down the sigma of men's mental health," commented home manager Holly Hunton. (Image: Country Court Care) "In addition to raising funds for this important initiative, half of the proceeds from the event will go toward providing a special activity for the residents of Ruby Lodge.' commented home manager Holly Hunton. Confirmed stallholders include: Jewellery by Carolyn, children's books and gifts from Claire and her 'Sparkling Touches,' bags and cushions by Cherie White. There will be Wooden crafts by Sarah Hubbock, and tote bags and baby clothes from Gillian Starkie. Vicky Queenan will be offering Oriflame cosmetics, while Go Indian Spice will bring a taste of the exotic with their selection of spices. Ana will be selling children's pens and stationery, and Lara Nursery will also be hosting a stall. In addition to shopping, there will be plenty of entertainment and family-friendly activities. Local singer Paul Moore will perform live music, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Children will enjoy face painting and classic games like tug of war and the ever popular 'throw a sponge' challenge. No fair would be complete without a sweet treat, and visitors can look forward to a visit from Pearson's Ices of Thirsk, who will be serving up delicious ice cream on site. Light refreshments will be available throughout the morning. (Image: Country Court Care) The team at Ruby Lodge Care Home extends a warm welcome to everyone in the local area to attend and support their community event. For further details, please contact Ruby Lodge Care Home on 01904 937449 or email
