Chester FC Community Trust is lending its support to a campaign to raise awareness of male suicide.
 
Craig Brown, owner of Rage Fitness Company in Blacon, created Mission 84 with the name linked to the stark statistic that on average 84 men in the UK take their own lives each week.
 
Craig will be cycling 3570 kilometres over 84 days in the lead up to Christmas Day with the festive season a time when suicide in men increases. The challenge will commence with a 1km ride on 2nd October with the distance increasing by a kilometre each day before finishing with an 84km ride on 25th December.
 
“I hope this shines a light on a real issue in modern society and want to support all men of all backgrounds,” said Craig.
 
“I hope this unites all men of Blacon, Chester, Cheshire and who knows, perhaps even the UK. I also hope this inspires us to look out for one another and to have the confidence and courage to speak to our wives, girlfriends, husbands, parents, friends, counsellors and say at the time it is needed most, ‘I need help’.”
 
Chester FC Community Trust has pledged its support for the Mission 84 campaign and Craig ias asking Chester FC supporters to help by sharing social media posts, photographs and videos of his challenges to raise awareness of the issue.
 
Jim Green, Community Trust CEO, said: “Sadly many of us will have experienced the loss of a friend or loved one to suicide and removing the stigma around depression, mental health and suicidal thoughts through raising awareness is so important.
 
“We will be supporting Craig through his campaign and encourage all Chester FC supporters to do the same and play a small part in helping to save lives.”
 
For updates, follow @RageFitnessComp on Twitter, search ‘Rage Fitness Company’ on Facebook or visit www.ragefitnesscompany.com.
 
Support and more information can be accessed through the following links:
 
www.samaritans.org
www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/research-policy/middle-aged-men-suicide
www.nhs.uk/conditions/suicide
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/s/suicide
www.projecteightyfour.com