A Preston martial arts academy has raised nearly £7,000 for men’s mental health charities during its third annual fundraising event.
Roger Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy (RGA) in St Matthews, hosted the Grapplethon on a weekend, with practitioners rolling on the mats non-stop for 24 hours from Saturday midday to raise money for Andy’s Man Club and Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide.
The event was created in memory of Gary Whittell, a friend and team mate who took his own life.
Read more: Mary O’Gara Foundation host second Hope Walk to highlight suicide prevention
With the blessing of Gary’s wife Pauline, instructor Michal Malek started the fundraiser to honour Gary’s memory and encourage men to seek help when struggling.
Mark Brown, an instructor at RGA who has been teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the academy since 2021, said the event aims to tackle the stigma around men’s mental health.
“For men there’s that idea that we’re supposed to be tough and not show emotions and kind of soldier on through everything,” said Brown. “But there are times when you need to open up.”
The academy’s campaign message is ‘donate the cost of one pint, the pint your mate might need to open up’.
Brown who has been training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for over 12 years, said the sport creates strong bonds between training partners.
Read more: Young Bamber Bridge brothers tackle six Lake District peaks in charity challenge
“People look out for each other in Jiu Jitsu,” he said. “There’s an awful lot of people who go to Jiu Jitsu for the mental health benefits of it.
“You can walk through the door despite having had a crap day at work or things aren’t great at home.
“You go, you have a training session, and get it all out in a really positive way.”
During the 24 hour event on Saturday 27 September, participants from RGA and other clubs including Manchester and Ormskirk, set themselves challenging goals.
Some members completed over 100 rounds of sparring, while Brown completed 50 rounds.
Read more: Who are you? Blog Foxton get their questioning minds going
The fundraiser welcomed families and supporters throughout the 24 hours, with many bringing food to fuel the participants.
Nearly £500 was collected in donations at the door, adding to the funds raised through the GoFundMe page.
Over the three years of running the Grapplethon, the academy has raised close to £17,000 for the two charities.
Brown emphasised the importance of the charity event’s mission, he said, “Our goal is to get people to open up, to talk. To prevent people from taking their own life because it’s not a solution to temporary problems.”
To make a donation to the mental health charities and in honour of Gary Whittell, visit the GoFundMe page.
Support Blog Preston: Keep our community reporting going and view the website without any adverts too. Sign up for a membership today.
Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
