Local Man Steps Into the Ring to Support Mental Health and Hospice Care

A local man is preparing to step into the boxing ring to raise money for two charities close to his heart - Andy’s Man Club and Springhill Hospice.

Neil Russell is taking part in the fundraising fight after losing friends to suicide and experiencing his own mental health struggles earlier in life.

Speaking about his motivation, Neil explained that the losses have had a lasting impact on him.

“I’m doing this because I’ve lost five friends to suicide in the last ten years. I also know of many more across Greater Manchester,” he said.

“One of the lads I was really close to – we used to joke that we’d have a fight before we got too old – and then about four years ago, he was gone.”

Neil believes that one of the biggest challenges surrounding suicide is the misunderstanding many people have about the state of mind someone may be in.

“What hurts is that most people don’t understand how low someone has to feel to do something like that, especially when they have a wife and kids. People say it’s selfish, but it’s not. When you’re in that place, your mind isn’t thinking straight.”

“I know that because 20 years ago I tried to take my own life. Luckily, I was found in time.”

That experience is one of the reasons he feels so strongly about the importance of men having somewhere safe to talk - which is why he chose to support Andy’s Man Club. The organisation runs peer-to-peer support groups across the UK where men can open up about their struggles without judgement.

Neil added that he believes support like this can make a life-saving difference.

“I truly believe that if my mate had someone to talk to, he might still be here like me, living the dream.”

Alongside Andy’s Man Club, Neil is also raising money for Springhill Hospice in Rochdale, which provides specialist care and support to patients and their families from diagnosis through to end of life.

The bout takes place on 27th June at Burnley Football Club. £10 from every ticket sold for the boxing event will be donated directly to the charities, split equally between the two organisations.

Anyone who cannot attend the event is also encouraged to consider making a donation, with every contribution helping support the vital work both charities do.

You can support Neil by buying tickets to the fight here or donating here.