TESTIMONIALS
"My first session was pre-lockdown and I was a little anxious beforehand. I wanted to meet new people as I am relatively new to the local area. What I enjoy now is that it is a consistent social activity and all the guys who turn up are spot on. It's also a good opportunity to talk about mental health if I ever needed to speak out." - Oliver Ryan
"My first session was back in March time just before the lockdown period. I had seen a post advertising Kick Start FC on Facebook and thought I would give it a try. I have always enjoyed playing football and the guys who turn up are a good laugh I have enjoyed coming to the sessions. It’s also a great way to speak out if you have anything on your mind. I would totally recommend it." - Rob Yates
TESTIMONIALS
"My first session was pre-lockdown and I was a little anxious beforehand. I wanted to meet new people as I am relatively new to the local area. What I enjoy now is that it is a consistent social activity and all the guys who turn up are spot on. It's also a good opportunity to talk about mental health if I ever needed to speak out." - Oliver Ryan
"My first session was back in March time just before the lockdown period. I had seen a post advertising Kick Start FC on Facebook and thought I would give it a try. I have always enjoyed playing football and the guys who turn up are a good laugh I have enjoyed coming to the sessions. It’s also a great way to speak out if you have anything on your mind. I would totally recommend it." - Rob Yates
How do I talk about my mental health?
Putting your feelings into words is sometimes difficult. It’s perfectly normal to be worried that you might say the wrong thing or explain it badly. It’s also natural to feel anxious that your loved one or friend might think your mental health is worse than you might feel it is.
Try not to worry – talking about your mental health is incredibly important when it comes to getting the right support for you and with the right preparation the conversation can be easier than you think it might be. Here are a few tips on how to talk about your mental health.
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HOME TACKLING THE MIND
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DAVID COMPLETES THE READING HALF MARATHON
Wednesday 24th April 2024
On Sunday the 14th of April, regular Kick Start FC service user David Brambley took on the Reading Half Marathon to raise funds for our charity. Clocking up 21km in a time of 2 hours and 7 minutes, David raised an incredible £910 which will be used to keep our Football Therapy services free to those who want to access them.
“I wanted to do something to rally myself whilst raising money for Kick Start FC, so I decided to run the Reading Half Marathon. I grew up in the area and it was a race that I had always known about and jokingly said I would run on several occasions. As someone who struggled to run 10 meters and weighed over 20 stone coming out of lockdown, I didn't start running properly until last year, so this was a huge challenge for me as it was the furthest I would have ever run.”
David had been completing a minimum of three runs over the course of seventeen weeks to prepare for the half marathon. This was a feat in itself as David had become ill over the Christmas period and couldn’t event walk up the stairs without feeling out of breath.
“In the build up to the day I was able to raise money by holding a raffle at work and gave a presentation to 100 people at a team day, so they all understood why I wanted to raise money for this charity. I also sold slots on my Marathon Playlist that I ran too on the day. I ended up with everything from Agadoo to Highway to Hell.”
On the day, David was wearing a customer-made Kick Start FC running top to raise awareness of our charity. Wearing blue and white in the town of Reading was a sure way to turn a few heads.
“I had three goals in mind just in case things didn't go to plan. I needed to make sure that I wasn't going to check out mentally and could easily switch to plan B without feeling like a failure mid-run. I lost my first goal time at the halfway point due to a stitch, and it took me another 3km to lose it. As the half marathon continued, I tried to make up for the lost time, but I knew I needed to switch to my next goal to make sure I would finish well.”
David was over the moon when he crossed the line knowing he had beaten his original goal time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. The culmination of 17 weeks hard work and sacrifice had paid off.
“All the coaches and volunteers put so much work into putting on the sessions on and to keep them running at no cost to us that attend them. I never ask for donations from anyone associated with Kick Start FC when fundraising, but if what I have done has inspired you. then click the link to donate”.
To donate to David's just giving page please click here. David will be keeping the page open for another week for those who would like to donate and help him reach his target of £1000. Thank you David!
Kick Start FC is a charitable incorporated organisation. Charity no. 1203577
Affiliated to the Wiltshire Football Association
