Meet Andrew Ferguson

“My advice to anyone struggling would be to seek help and speak to someone. This helped me loads when I was dealing with losing my mum to suicide”

I’m Andrew and in 2009, I lost my mum to suicide. I was a footballer at the time and I found that there was little support available to people like me, dealing with challenging emotions after losing my mum. 

Now, over 10 years later, I heard about Back Onside and the amazing work that they’re doing to support people struggling with their mental health. I want to do everything that I can to raise vital funds for this charity and of course, raise awareness to break the stigma surrounding mental health.  

“I want to raise money for Back Onside to help people who may find themselves in a similar position that I was in; not knowing where to turn.”

I decided to set myself a fundraising challenge – to run 5km every day for 54 days. I started this challenge to raise money but so much more has come from it. Day-on-day, I feel fitter, my lifestyle has been better and my mental health has been brilliant. Fresh air and exercise really does make you feel better.

So, if you’re reading this and are able to take on some sort of fundraising challenge, please just go for it. You’ll feel much better for it and you’ll be raising crucial funds for people and families struggling with their mental health.

Every single penny raised for Back Onside helps to fund a level of mental health support like no other. Please email info@backonside.com to request a fundraising pack or check out their Instagram Guide for some inspiration. Your support will go a massive way. 

Andrew x