1 week Ago By [email protected] (Jonny Clark)
A mental health-focused football club, described as “remarkable”, has won an award just two years after its founding. Moray Mental Health Football Club - formed by a group of friends from Forres following the suicide of a close pal - aims to support people enduring during difficult periods, all while enjoying football. The club, which has more than 70 members, was named Charitable Organisation of the Year at the Moray and Banffshire Heroes Awards.
After winning the award, Steven Simpson, who founded the club alongside friends Phil Barton and Matty Slinger, said: “Words can’t describe it. It’s amazing. We are on cloud nine.
“We were just honoured to be here, so we are blown away. “The nominations were against charities that have been going for quite some time and we have only been going for two years. “The other charities have done amazing as well and everyone is a winner in my eyes, to be honest.
” Despite just being a couple of years old, the club has played in matches as far away as Spain and Ireland, giving people the chance to get away as well. More regularly, players meet up for a game every fortnight throughout Moray; in Forres, Elgin, Lossiemouth and Kinloss. In the weeks in between, members get together for ‘team talks’ about their own experiences and wellbeing.
One nomination described the club as ‘remarkable’. Steven added: “If anyone is having a bad day at work, come along and have a game. It’s to let off some steam, meet new guys and girls and have a good time.
“If you are struggling then we are linked with Mikeysline, so we can point you in the right direction with your mental health as well.” The Charitable Organisation of the Year Award was sponsored by Brodie Countryfare..
