Staff from two care services in County Durham came together for a day of football and fundraising, raising £463 for a local mental health charity. The friendly match, held between teams from Cygnet St William’s and Cygnet Victoria House in Darlington, ended with a 1-0 victory for St William’s, cheered on by supporters from the sidelines.
Fundraising for youth mental health
The money raised will go to The Listening Post, a charity that runs a mentoring project for young people aimed at preventing long-term mental health challenges. The choice of charity was made by the service users themselves, according to occupational therapist Georgia Nelson.
“Our service users chose The Listening Post to receive our donation as they felt that being truly heard during younger years makes a profound difference to your mental health,” she said.
Event success and community impact
Georgia Nelson described the match as “a huge success – not just for the football on display, but for what it achieved.” She added: “Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of both our staff and individuals we support, we raised an amazing amount for a wonderful local charity.”
She also expressed pride in the organisers and gratitude to everyone who took part, donated, and supported the cause, noting that the fundraiser provided “a real sense of giving back to and bettering the local community.”
About the care services
Cygnet St William’s is a neuropsychiatric care service for men with acquired brain injuries, while Cygnet Victoria House is a hospital for men with mental health needs. Both services are located in Darlington, County Durham.
