Member Article

CareTech Foundation Help Children’s Home Manager Support Suicide Charity

The CareTech Foundation supports Cheshire Bears Women’s American Football team raise funds for Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide), the UK suicide charity dedicated specifically to the prevention of young suicide.

Led by their Offensive Captain, Laura Hughes, the club’s pre-season training regime included the whole team walking, biking, running and swimming the miles between their training grounds in Tattenhall, Chester to the Chicago Bears’ Soldier Field stadium in Chicago, Illinois as a fundraising activity.

The total of 3,796 miles was completed by the whole team but left them with a shortfall of £350 off their fundraising target of £1,000. However the CareTech Foundation was able to assist in making up the shortfall thanks to its Match-Funding Grant, designed to support employees of CareTech plc celebrate their match-funding efforts for registered charities.

In her day job Laura is the Registered Manager of children’s home for Branas Isaf, which is part of the CareTech plc group. Laura applied for the support and was lucky enough to be selected by the Foundation for a donation of £350 to help her team hit their fundraising target.

Laura Hughes says: “I work with young people in my day job, and mental health has been a concern during the pandemic, as some have struggled with the isolation and associated anxiety. Also, in the American Football community, some have experienced the tragedy of losing loved ones, team mates and family members, which is why this fundraising for Papyrus is so important to us. It is our way of contributing and doing more to help and support. With help from the CareTech Foundation providing the additional boost to our fundraising, we have helped Papyrus a little to continue to provide their invaluable support and much used helpline, Hopeline UK. With this helpline young people receive the support they need when having thoughts of suicide.”

CareTech Foundation CEO, Jonathan Freeman MBE, says “The Cheshire Bears football team prides itself on being there to support team members’ physical goals and mental wellbeing, through the empowerment of its members and promoting healthy lifestyles. I can see how such a community really helps its members so it is without hesitation we felt it appropriate to help them help others who just need a lifeline to find their place in the world.”

For anyone struggling please reach out. Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org , Hopeline UK 0800 068 41 41.

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under 35 in the UK. Every year many thousands more attempt or contemplate suicide, harm themselves or suffer alone, afraid to speak openly about how they are feeling.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by CareTech Foundation .