Horsham FC have community in Mind with new initiative

Taking place over what would have been Euro 2020, from Friday (June 12) to July 12, the #DonateAPint campaign encourages football fans of all ages to get involved.

All they need to do is donate the price of a pint they’d otherwise have spent on a soft or alcoholic drink while watching the European Football Championships.

With mental health problems on the rise, and the use of mental health charities such as CALM and Samaritans also increasing during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the club have recognised the importance of support both the charities and the people affected. That is why 100 per cenr of the money raised will go to West Sussex Mind.

The club’s community engagement officer, Ian Burlinson, said: "HFC are a community-based club and, in the current climate, it was only right that we should give something back to the community, which includes many football fans.

"Mental health awareness is important to us all and can affect people in many different ways. With the current situation, mental health is affecting many more people and charities like West Sussex Mind are at the forefront of this challenge.

"Raising money for West Sussex Mind will allow them to increase their resources to support those in need. Also, being a community club, we hope to raise awareness of mental health and break that stigma that mental health can have."

West Sussex Mind are committed to changing attitudes and increasing knowledge and understanding around mental health so that people living with mental health problems feel less stigmatised and isolated.

Horsham hope to raise an initial £1,400.