THE family of an amateur rugby league player who took his own life last year recently completed a gruelling challenge in aid of a cause close to their hearts.
Suzanne Cleworth, from Leigh, lost her husband Stephen last September, who died at the age of 44.
Dad-of-two Stephen played for Leigh Miners Rangers, Leigh East ARLFC and represented Lancashire in Masters games for over 35s.
Stephen Cleworth in action for Leigh Miners Rangers Masters
Stephen with his wife Suzanne and their two children, Will and Willow
Following his death and learning about many other similar cases, Suzanne decided to raise awareness of the need to provide support for men who suffer with mental health problems.
She also discovered one of her friends, Kieran Jones, from Bamfurlong, came close to taking his own life.
And earlier this year they teamed up to encourage their family and friends to sign up for the 10-mile obstacle course Tough Mudder North West event in Cheshire to raise funds for men's mental health charity Mind.
Around 50 people joined Team Mind and braved the mud earlier this month including Suzanne's son Will, 16.
Her daughter Willow, 10, was one of a number of children in the team that finished the Lidl Mudder event as well.
Suzanne, 40, soldiered through the course despite tearing her right calf the week before.
She said: "It has been unbelievable to find out how many people are going through mental health problems and raising awareness of the issue is the reason I am getting involved in fundraising events.
"Tough Mudder was good fun and it was nice to see the sea of Blue Mind t-shirts that we were all wearing together."
Team Mind organisers Suzanne, Kieran and Paula Bickers
Suzanne, Kieran and Paula's team amassed £5,000 for Mind.
Kieran, 39, said: "When I started fundraising and raising awareness I was in a dark place myself.
"I couldn’t seek professional help so I started it to give me a distraction to aid my recovery.
"Six months on I’m in the best place I’ve ever been and it has gave me a passion to get in to the mental health sector.
"I am now training to work for a support service to help others.
"I want to show people that it can be beaten and help is out there.
"When you are on the road to recovery it is important that you remember that it is not a straight road.
"The road will have hills - you need to climb and bends that you can’t see what is coming at you it’s all about reaction.
"Everyone is different and will react in different ways. You might hit a dead end but you must turn round get back on the road and carry on till you reach your destination no matter how long that road maybe.
"You will come out of it a better person and a hell of a lot stronger.
"I would like to give a big thank you to Suzanne and Paula for organising this with me and to all the team - without them it wouldn’t have been possible to do."
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Kieran has also arranged for veteran comedian Roy Chubby Brown to play a gig at The Village on the Green in Aspull on Saturday, November 30 in support of Mind. For more information and to enquire about tickets click here via Facebook.
A ladies night at the Waterside Inn pub in Leigh in the summer also raised £2,000 for the cause.
Kieran has also set up a Facebook Page, Kieran Jones mental health campaigner. To visit it via Facebook click here.
Free weekly singles night are also being arranged at the Waterside Inn pub for people who struggle with their mental health. Their friends are welcome to attend as well.
The first event will take place on Thursday, October 3 at 7.30pm.
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