Men’s Mental Health Month at the University of Salford has once again proven the incredible power of student solidarity, with societies across campus stepping up to raise awareness and vital funds for men’s health. This year, multiple societies, including men’s football, rugby and cheer, have put their own creative spin on fundraising, coming together to champion causes such as men’s mental health and suicide prevention.
A standout activity that took place to raise money for Men’s Mental Health Month was the Rugby society, which set the bar high with an ambitious and physically demanding challenge: a 24-hour charity bike ride. Taking shifts throughout the day and night, players cycled continuously, keeping the wheels turning from sunrise to sunrise. Rugby set a target of 2,000 pounds to be raised, and they have smashed that, raising £2,096 as of writing this, with still just under less than a week to go.
Whilst rugby rode bikes, cheer brought creativity, inclusivity and a bit of sparkle to the month with their brilliantly playful “Bring a Boy to Cheer” event. Inviting male friends, students, and even members of other societies to join a cheer practice, they offered participants the chance to try stunts, learn routines, and challenge stereotypes about the sport. The session was full of laughter and a good dose of chaos, but more importantly, it opened a space for positivity, confidence-building building and awareness. Their event not only raised money but also strengthened community bonds and encouraged guys to step outside their comfort zone.
Morgan Hughes, a participant of Bring a Boy To Cheer, said, “Cheer is certainly not something I’d wish to continue with how stiff I realised I actually am, but it has been great fun with the lads stepping out of my comfort zone, and it is all for a good cause.”
Courtney Foley, a member of the Cheer society, expressed her enjoyment of the event, stating, “Seeing the boys attempt to be cheerleaders was in itself worthwhile while but to also raise £82 for such an important cause was great.”
The Men’s football society embraced the classic Movember tradition: growing moustaches with pride, with some growing a little bit better than others. Players across the club have ditched the razors for the month, all in the name of charity. But they didn’t just rely on facial hair to spark conversations. The team encouraged open dialogue within the club and have raised £50 as of now.
I spoke to the University of Salford’s Men’s football health and wellbeing secretary, Nathan Gilray, to discuss his role and the importance of the month.
https://soundcloud.com/user-90116998/nathan-gilray-interview
With there still being 6 days left of Men’s Mental Health Month, the fundraising does not stop there. To raise even more money, the University of Salford’s Rugby team will come up against the women’s netball team in a highly anticipated charity showdown. The event promises plenty of laughs and friendly competition, as players step out of their comfort zone for a great cause. It’s set to be another standout highlight of Salford’s fundraising calendar and a perfect example of how students continue to pull together to make a difference.
These are just a few examples of the incredible work being done to raise throughout Men’s Mental Health Month. If you’d like to support the cause, donation links can be found in the different societies Instagram bios.