Rejoicing in Ripon: Ripon’s Pig Cup tournament raises more than £5,000 for men’s mental health charities
Ripon’s Pig Cup tournament raises more than £5,000 for men’s mental health charities 🐷
Ripon’s inaugural Pig Cup tournament has raised in excess of £5,000 for charity, while increasing awareness of the suicide prevention work being carried out by two organisations in the city.
Sixteen six-a-side football teams with players of all shapes and sizes and a range of ages, sizzled in the Sunday sun as they vied for victory at Ripon City AFC’s Mallorie Park ground. ⚽
The tournament, held to raise much-needed funds for Andy’s Man Club and Ripon Men’s Shed, was won by Ripon Bowling Club and proved an overwhelming success. 💙
It was the brainchild of The Portly Pig owners Katie and Stuart Ross and regular at their Kirkgate hostelry, Helen Cotterill-Smith, a regional safeguarding manager at the English Football League.
Katie told Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon Blog: “With Helen’s brilliant support, advice and guidance, along with facilities provided free of charge by Ripon City AFC, we were able to achieve our twin goals of raising money for, and awareness of, Andy’s Man Club and Ripon Men’s Shed, two incredible charities focused on men’s mental health and suicide prevention.”
Shocking suicide statistics
Before the first games kicked off at the Mallorie Park Drive ground, a minute’s silence was observed as players and supporters bowed their heads in memory of the many men from across the UK and locally who have taken their own lives.
With approximately 7,100 people a year in the UK dying by suicide, Helen, pointed out: “Around three quarters of the deaths are among males and very sadly, with approximately 20 lives lost per day, suicide remains the leading cause of death for people under the age of 35.”
A lasting impression
Stuart, said: “In addition to Ripon City AFC, we had tremendous support from the outset from Ripon BID and businesses and individuals across the city, who make Ripon such a special place.”
He added: “We hope that by running a tournament on this scale, we were able to provide an enjoyable event, which also gave Andy’s Man Club and the Men’s Shed a platform to promote the vital work that they do.”
Katie added: “We thank all participants who supported the tournament in any way, from baking items for sale on the day and donating prizes for the tombola, to marking out the three six-a-side pitches and setting up and taking down the goals and nets.” ⚽🐷
Support from the English Football League
Through her contacts at the English Football League, Helen arranged for three priceless and historic pieces of silverware – the Carabao Cup, League 2 play-off cup and Vertu EFL trophy – to be on display at the Ripon City ground. 🏆🏆🏆
Guarded by trophy custodian Graham Clay, they attracted a great deal of attention.
There were also attention-grabbling items of football memorabilia, including shirts donated by EFL clubs that were sold at an auction staged last month at the Portly Pig.
The proceeds of this event, combined with the entry fee from teams, tombola tickets and sale of buns, cakes and other items baked for the tournament, all ensured that more than £5,000 was raised to be shared equally between Andy’s Man Club and Ripon Men’s Shed.
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID said: “All credit goes to Katie, Stuart and Helen, along with Ripon City AFC, for pulling off the magnificent feat of creating a football tournament that, with the support of the city’s community of independent businesses, will provide much-needed funding for two great charities.” 🐷⚽
- The Pig Cup programme
- All team members along with spectators, observed a minute’s silence before the start of the tournament in memory of those who lost their lives through suicide.
3. The full line up of the 16 Pig Cup tournament teams.
4. Katie Ross (left) and Helen Cotterill-Smith are pictured with the three priceless EFL trophies that were on display at the Ripon City AFC ground.
Andy’s Man Club meets at Ripon Bowling Club on Monday evenings, and Ripon Men’s Shed — whose workshop is located in Water Skellgate — is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 🛠️.
All photographs were taken by Tim Flanagan of the Rejoicing in Ripon blog for Ripon BID.
