Two of the country’s most progressive Non-League Football Clubs – Whitehawk FC and Dulwich Hamlet FC – are to launch their 2022/’23 campaigns with a very special pre-season match at the Hawks’ Enclosed Ground on Saturday, July 9 from 1.30pm.
During the UK-wide lockdown period of February 2021, Dulwich Hamlet of the Vanarama National League south and Whitehawk of the Pitching In Isthmian League south east joined forces to raise over £3,000 with a series of ‘virtual’ events for mental health charities Mind in Brighton & Hove and Lambeth & Southwark.
The culmination was a proposed match between the two clubs, and 17 months later, the two sides have finally managed to arrange it!
Spearheaded by current Hamlet striker Danny Mills, who spent five years at Whitehawk during one of the most successful periods in the club’s history, the original campaign included a TV show on local Brighton channel Latest TV, a ‘virtual’ match played out on Twitter, a radio request show on local London station K2K, a fans quiz night, and an ‘evening with’ zoom event featuring Danny, fans from both sides, and some very special guests.
Using the hashtag #SHOUTOUT, SHOUT OUT FOR MENTAL HEALTH is a campaign to raise funds via a JustGiving page, and to encourage anyone currently feeling anxious or alone to talk to someone; to call a friend, a work colleague or a family member, and to reassure them that they are not alone.
Mental health issues, particularly amongst young men, have risen sharply during and post pandemic. Research commissioned by Mind, in partnership with the English Football League, compares polling data from YouGov with the same survey from 2009. The survey reveals that while some progress has been made, young men especially feel worried or low more regularly than ten years ago and are consequently twice as likely to feel suicidal.
The July 9 game, kick off 3pm, will feature live music, half-time entertainment, raffles and fundraising activities, and is supported by health and wellbeing company Specifeye, football support group Our Game, Nuffield Health, energy company Utilita’s community programme and Fans For Diversity.
It is hoped that this will become an annual event, with the next game at Dulwich’s home ground, Champion Hill.
All tickets are £5 and available online or on the gate on the day.
Mental Health Information and support: When you’re experiencing a mental health problem, supportive and reliable information can change your life. Call 0300 123 3393.
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