Rovers and City derby to help men's mental health
Getty ImagesA celebrity football derby between Bristol Rovers and Bristol City is taking place to encourage more men to talk about how they are feeling.
Rovers and City legends, Bristol's former mayor and actor and radio presenter Joe Sims are a few of the people playing in the game at Rovers' Memorial Stadium on 29 April.
Organised by men's mental health charity Talk Club, its founder Gavin Thorpe said 25 men took their lives in Bristol last year.
"That's 11 men on each team and the officials. When you think about it like that, it's powerful, and it's one of the reasons we're doing this, because we can help do something about it," he said.
"Through football, there's a lot we can do to help people in the city be more supportive and care for each other," he added.
Talk Club started in Bristol in 2019 and now has more than 120 clubs worldwide, with the charity running talk and exercise sessions and therapy groups.
It aims to help men improve their mental health and understand their emotions by asking how they are feeling out of 10.
Former mayor Marvin Rees, who is playing in the match, said: "Sport can reach people in ways that many other forms of communication and outreach can't.
"It's fantastic to see the two clubs stepping up.
"Rovers and City have been really important in the city for a long time on a number of issues."
Talk ClubMr Thorpe is also keen for the celebrity match to become a regular fixture.
"This is the first of many. We're hoping to have the return match at Ashton Gate next year, and hopefully it can keep going every year," he said.
"We want to launch this around the country.
"Why not have Liverpool versus Everton, or a match between the two Sheffield Clubs? Any club that wants to get involved, because the messaging is so important."
Money raised from the match will be donated between Talk Club, Bristol City's Robins Foundation and Bristol Rovers Community Trust.
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