The Michael and Neil Drew (M&ND) annual golf event aims to raise money for local people and local charity organisations where we can make a difference.
This is our 10th annual event which has raised money for many good causes such as Breast Cancer, Oldbury Swimming and Triathlon Club as well as Macmillan Nurses, CRY, Edwards Trust and in the past and we have even helped raise funds for a local Gymnast who returned from the World Championships with the Gold Medal.
At last year’s golf event one of our friends Dave Hands, who lost his son Mick Galvin tragically to suicide in 2013, pointed out another local man had ended his life. Dave asked if the M&ND could raise funds to help heighten awareness of mental health issues and how people can get help.
Mick Galvin who played in the inaugural M&ND was loved by everyone. Nobody saw his death coming. Since Mick died our golf community has suffered further tragic losses and individuals have suffered with poor health and depression. We recognise that post the Covid-19 pandemic this is a major issue and escalating in our community.
Dave Hands provoked this year’s event and asked that we get the message out.
“If you’ve got a problem, I don’t care what it is, If you need a hand, I can assure you this I can help, I’ve got two strong arms, I can help, It would sure do me good to do you good, Let me help”
(Billy Swan – Let me Help 1974)
This year we have engaged with The Kaleidoscope Plus Group (KPG) a specialist in this field. This charity was established in 1973 as the Sandwell branch of the mental health charity, Mind, before rebranding in 2013 after identifying there was a greater need for more diversity in service.
Its key aims are to support recovery for people experiencing ill-health, whilst also promoting independence; to support inclusion and facilitate community integration and participation for people with health problems; and to raise awareness of mental health issues, challenging stigma and promoting positive health and well-being.
To meet the needs of its community, KPG’s diverse range of services include residential and independent living services, a national
24hr text crisis support, phone and instant messaging support lines, suicide prevention services, bereavement support, counselling in the community, mental health services for children and young people and community support aimed at promoting inclusion and self-care.
vietec Limited annually supports the M&ND charity event. vietec, a Redditch based ICT infrastructure specialist company will look to boost the fundraising through their business channels to promote the event further to help raise the proposed minimum target of £1,500.
M&ND hope to gain your support again for this year’s competition and from anyone who wishes to donate to our worthy charity KPG.
We are all looking forward to the event.