Raising money for worthy causes through walking & talking
It is well-publicised that athletes from all sports often suffer from mental illness. This can happen during a career but is particularly common after retirement from a professional sport.
Whilst mental health awareness and understanding are improving, we found that going out for a walk really does help to improve levels of stress and anxiety that can be built up over time.
Walking and talking can have many benefits, including weight loss, reduced anxiety and stress relief.
Our charity was founded by a group of ex-professional footballers and their friends. We got together to try to raise awareness of mental health issues arising after retirement from sport, but things blossomed into us supporting the wider mental health community and other local charities.
News & events
Follow the latest fundraising news and events from #walkingsbrilliant here. You can also follow us on Twitter for the latest news.
Charity Golf Day @ Doncaster Golf Club
Our popular annual golf day returned to Doncaster Golf Club in July with a host of local golfers joining celebrities for a day of golf, comedy, great food and a few beers! Our winning team this year was Oaktree, followed closely by Rapid Response 'B' in second place. Our best celebrity player on the day was Oli McBurnie. In total over £12,000 was raised for our chosen charities. Thank you to everyone who made the day a success.
Mental Health Football Club Partnership
We recently sponsored a football kit for AFC Oldham, a football team established to support individuals with mental health issues. We donated £500 towards the cost of their new strip.
PACT Bereavement Support Coffee Mornings
Walking's Brilliant (WATCH) recently donated £600 to PACT, who offer bereavement support. PACT runs a monthly coffee morning, for which we will provide the funds for coffee and cakes for the attendees.
Ryhill FC fun day for 12 year-old Tom Hemmings – £500
Last year Ryhill FC under 12's player Tom Hemmings was diagnosed with an optic nerve glioma tumour and has been undergoing regular chemotherapy to treat it ever since diagnosis. Chemotherapy has an extensive list of side effects which Tom is experiencing which are not only exhausting for him but also for his family. On Saturday 8th February a family fun day was held at Ryhill FC to raise money for Tom and his family to go away on a nice holiday and take a break from it all, at a time when Tom is fit enough to do so. Walkings Brilliant donated £500 towards an overall total of £2450 which will give Tom, his sister and mum and dad an opportunity to spend some nice family time together away on holiday somewhere.