2017

Wrestlers grapple with mental health awareness to raise £1,000

Date Posted: 11:28 AM on Wed, 20 December 2017

Volunteers from the Arnold Methodist Church Befriending Group have received a cheque of £1,020 from a special wrestling fundraising event to raise awareness of mental health.

The wrestling event was called ‘Smackdown to Mental Health’, a reference to the popular WWE wrestling franchise and was organised by Gedling Borough Councillor, Cllr Alex Scroggie earlier this year at Richard Herrod Centre, Carlton.

Fans were treated to wrestlers including favourites G-Wizz and Barricade take part in an 8-man tag team match described as the ‘biggest match in House of Pain history’ by event organisers. The money raised will go towards funding a crisis café at Arnold Methodist Church Befriending Group who run weekly sessions to help people with mental health problems.

Sue Clayton, co-ordinator at Arnold Methodist Befriending Club said “This money helps us so much, we can use it to help plan ahead for the activities we put on at the sessions and we are very grateful to everyone involved.”

Chris Nickolls also known as ‘Barricade’ from House of Pain Wrestling said; “I’ve suffered with mental health problems in the past so it was great to be able to help, we love what we do and to raise money for this important charity at the same time was brilliant.”

Carlton Hill Ward Councillor and event organiser, Councillor Alex Scroggie said; “I’m delighted with the amount of money we raised for this very important charity. I’d like to thank the House of Pain team for getting involved and raising awareness of the ways mental health can affect people. This money will go towards the great work done already by the Arnold Befriending Group.”

The Arnold Methodist Befriending Group meet every Friday from 11am – 2pm at Arnold Methodist Church, Front Street, Arnold.