C.A.L.M.

[WhiteJC]

 
Fulham fans will raise awareness of men's mental health – by walking to Birmingham
by alandrewett on February 11, 2018

Over the past two seasons, Fulham fanatic Lee Adams has been cycling and walking up and down the country to raise money for the award-winning charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which is close to his heart. For readers who are unaware, CALM is an award-winning charity dedicated to prevent male suicide – which remains the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45.

The latest statistics are shocking when you see them in black and white. In 2014, 4.623 men took their own lives. Twelve men a day commit suicide – which is an average of one man, every two hours. CALM runs a hotline allowing people to seek help when they are feeling vulnerable or down at the statistically toughest times of the day. £7 can help connect a call to the CALM hotline and, as a charity, the organisation requires all the support they can get. Football is one of the interests that most men share and Lee, who has been brave about his own battles, has resolved to use the beautiful game to help get men talking.

Lee has participated in television, telephone and newspaper interviews in his quest to raise as much awareness for the charity, as well as much needed funds in the process. Almost two years to the day since his first epic journey, he will be undertaking on his biggest challenge yet – a-113 mile walk from Craven Cottage to St Andrews spread over three days ahead of Fulham's final fixture of the season at Birmingham City. Just as he was during the walk to Reading before the Whites' first game of the season, Lee will be joined by a number of fellow Fulham fans in a bid to raise as much as possible for a fantastic cause.

Lee was kind enough to speak to hammyend.com and share some insights into why he is preparing to take on another extraordinary challenge.

How did the idea of a walk from Fulham2Birmingham come about?

After walking to Reading I wanted to do another challenge to help raise more awareness of both the issue of men's mental health – which some people who suffer find difficult to talk about – and the fantastic work that CALM does to help people who are struggling. I thought it should be something to push us a little bit more and Birmingham was just that.

How many people are participating in the walk?

At the moment we have ten walkers and I do expect a few more to sign up before the day itself. It's a unique challenge and one that will definitely push us.

How can people donate to such a great cause?

All donations are gratefully we received. I have been so overwhelmed by the generous support from the Fulham fanbase since I started fundraising for CALM. We have set up a Just Giving page – and people can donate by clicking here.

In the future, do you have any other ventures planned to raise money for CALM?

I definitely have a few more ideas but in the pipeline, but you will get you all know after the Birmingham walk. For now, all I'm going to say is #BringOnTheBattle!

Reading fans are doing a walk from #Reading2Fulham in aid of CALM, which is the reverse of your walk to the Madjeski Stadium earlier this season. What are your thoughts on this?

After our Reading walk, I was invited on BBC Radio Five Live's 606 show and challenged them to do the return game. A Reading supporter from Ireland called Jonny got in touch with me and said he wanted to do the walk, so Jonny, a few Reading fans and I will be walking to Craven Cottage. I think it's wonderful as more men will hopefully seek help.

Do you have anything you'd like to add?

Thank you to everyone that has volunteered their time, we are becoming a close group. Also thank you for you're time too. Come on you Whites and bring on the walk!

Everyone at Hammyend.com would like to thank Lee both for his time and his remarkable efforts in support of CALM, which is a magnificent charity. We would urge all Fulham fans to support Lee and his fellow walkers in raising money for this important cause. If you are able to make a financial donation, please click here to do so. You can also spread the message on social media, by following Lee or the new FulhamCALM account on Twitter or tweeting using the #Fulham2BirminghamWalk.



http://hammyend.com/index.php/2018/02/fulham-fans-will-raise-awareness-of-mens-mental-health-by-walking-to-birmingham/

[WhiteJC]

 
Hunty's Column: Reading To Fulham Walk
Our columnist talks about why he'll be walking from the MadStad to Craven Cottage in April.

So, transfer deadline day passed without losing Liam Moore, and we gained two quality signings in Chris Martin and Tommy Elphick. This could be Paradise? Nope! Tommy gets injured and we go back to our poor selves against Millwall at home.

We then saw a repeat of that against Boro, and we're now in deep Swindon. Let's hope we can get ourselves out of this mess, with or without Stam. It's enough to test your sanity!

Did you see in the news last week about the Scottish footballer David Cox?

He was abused on the pitch by opposition players because he opened up about his battle with depression. Sadly, it didn't grab the headlines In the same way as Sanchez signing for Man Utd for stupid money.

If it was in another workplace, it would be classed as bullying and dealt with by the appropriate channels. Bullying is wrong, the stigma around mental illness is wrong. But do you know what we can do? We can fight back and make a difference.

That's what myself, some other Royals and Fulham fans are doing. Standing together as one, to break down the stigma around mental illness and suicide prevention.

Yep as you might have seen, we are walking from the Mad Stad to Craven Cottage on 9th/10th April. This is before the game there that Tuesday night. This isn't some cheap publicity thrill for any of us, this is about trying to make a difference.

Why?
In previous columns I've have talked about mental health, with a number of ex-players and their own battles. One in four people will be affected by a mental health issue this year. I'm sure many of you may have been affected personally by it, one way or another.

Mental illness doesn't care what job you have, or what car you drive. Sadly it is never going to go away.

However by talking about it, in the same way as you would have a broken limb, we can make a difference.

Do you know what? It's alright to ask someone if they are ok!

So look folks, this walk is in aid of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). They focus on prevention of male suicide in people under 45 years of age. The reason? Well I'm male, and I've made it to 46 .

Seriously though, there are so many good organisations out there doing good work. Please go check them out.

So why now?
Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington was a truly talented guy, with a young family and also a daughter named Lily. He fought his own demons, before taking his own life last summer.

There's a video of him doing a TV carpool karaoke five days before his death. He looked so genuinely happy then.

It makes no sense, mental illness makes no sense at times. However at least if we try and talk about it, we might help one person.

One of Chester' s last songs One More Light says it so better than I ever could, so just take a listen.

If a group of us walking ourselves into the ground helps make a difference then it's so worth it. If you could join us for the walk, come and support us or even donate I would be very grateful.

Please keep spreading the word it would be lovely to meet you.

Follow its progress on Twitter @Huntyroyal #ReadingToFulhamWalk

And here's my JustGiving page:




https://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/2018/2/12/17000846/hunty-column-reading-fulham-walk-royals-cottagers-madejski-stadium-craven-cottage

[WhiteJC]

 
This is why Reading FC fans are walking 37 miles to Fulham game

Royals fan Johnny Hunt is one of a group of fans who will walk to Craven Cottage from Madejski Stadium

A Royals fan is due to walk to the Fulham game to raise money and awareness of mental health issues.

Johnny Hunt is one of a group of fans who will make the 37.2 mile journey from Madejski Stadium to Craven Cottage on Tuesday, April 10 in aid of CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably).

Last season Fulham fans trekked to Berskhire to raise money and now Reading FC fans are looking to do the same.

He said: "We're standing together as one, to break down the stigma around mental illness and suicide prevention."

Mr Hunt, who is now based in Ireland, has been working as a nurse for 22 years looking after children with disabilities and previously worked in mental health.

He said through his job he has experienced the personal effects of mental health and feels the stigma is wrong surrounding the illness.

He has also written a column on mental health awareness.

He added: "I just want to make a difference.

"If a group of us walking to the ground helps make a difference then it's so worth it."

Fans taking part in the walk will be setting off for Craven Cottage at 8pm on Monday, April 9 ahead of the Tuesday night game.

To donate to the cause click here

If you wish to follow his journey you can follow him on Twitter here.



https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/this-is-why-reading-fc-fans-are-walking-37-miles-to-fulham-game/