FRIENDS who organised a family fun day in Evenwood to raise cash and awareness of depression in young men say they are “thrilled” ‘ to have raised £1,454 – with more money still coming in.
Although the money is still being collected in from the various events held last week, friends Shannon Howe, 22, and Zoe Taylor, say they are amazed at how much was raised.
Ms Howe was only 14 when her older brother committed suicide and she hoped by organising the fun day it would raise awareness and money for the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), an award-winning charity dedicated to preventing suicide.
The event, which was held on the village green adjacent to St Paul’s Church, had bouncy castles, hook a duck games, guess the name of the teddy as well as games.
Unfortunately the ladies couldn’t persuade the local PSCO to get in the stocks, but were delighted the local fire service sent an appliance along to join in the day.
T-shirts they had specially designed, featuring Ms Howe’s brother Christopher, who was a keen football fan, sold incredibly well.
After the afternoon’s events had concluded, the duo then hosted a charity evening at the Castle Inn where crowds cheered as Scott Duggan and Mark Gallagher bravely underwent a sponsored waxing.
Ms Howe said: “We’re just totally amazed by how much money we managed to raise. Everyone who came bought one of our “Ditty” t-shirts.
“There are so many people we have to thank, especially everyone who helped out on the day.”
