Family and friends of a Co Down rugby player are celebrating a mammoth fundraising effort to raise much needed awareness of mental health in the local community.
Just over a year ago on December 2, 2021, Ryan Mills from Newtownards took his own life at the age of 30.
Ryan was an advocate for mental health himself, helping to raise money and awareness for several different charities, work that is now being carried on in his name by both his loved ones and his teammates at Ards Rugby Football Club.
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The Hamilton Park club was rocked by the death of the popular player and club member late last year. Just prior to his death Ryan was among 20 people, including Ards' players, members and supporters, who helped raise cash in aid of Movember, a charity which focuses on raising awareness for men's health issues, both mental and physical.
The aim is for fundraisers was to grow a moustache over the 30 days of November to start conversations on the issues affecting men. Together, the team topped the charts of teams raising money in Northern Ireland, coming in 17th overall in the UK with £4,600.
However, as the club celebrated news of their fundraising success, they became aware that Ryan had taken his own life. The Movember Charity provided a certificate as a thank you to Ryan, and Ards RFC, for their fundraising efforts, which was later presented to Ryan’s family.
Last month, the club honoured Ryan by taking part in 'Millsy's Movember', this time aiming to be the largest fundraisers in not only Northern Ireland, but the UK and Ireland, too.
A group of 53 players, ex-players, coaches and managers took part in the Movember fundraising campaign, growing funny Mo’s to support awareness for mental health.
One of those who took part was Ryan's former teammate Gareth Wilson, who told Belfast Live : "Last year the club raised £4,600 - the top fundraising team in Northern Ireland and Ryan was a member of our Movember Team.
"This year’s target was for the team to reach the number one spot in the UK and Ireland in memory of Millsy’s. The Ards Rugby Movember team, the club members and all our friends and family raised a mammoth £25,167 this year for the cause of men’s health that Movember champions.
"This was enough to earn us third place in the UK leaderboard. We would like to thank everyone who supported, laughed, cried, donated, nominated, watched or made a video and got behind raising awareness for men’s health in memory of our friend Ryan.
"The positivity from last month’s exploits is really infectious and can be felt all around the club and community. We hope this helps in some small way to promote the message that 'it’s ok not to be ok' and also removes the stigma and allows more young men to open up when they need support."
Anyone who needs to talk to someone about mental health issues can call the Samaritans on 116123 or Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.
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