Heyside FC's biking marathon raises a whopping £4,500

Some of the Heyside contingent are pictured during their gruelling 85-mile bike ride

The difficulties faced by community groups, charities and businesses over the last few months has for many, been more than challenging, but Heyside Football Club wanted to do something positive while raising much-needed funds for the club and local mental health charity Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind.

So, along with players and managers from the club, Carl Taylor, Ben Greenidge and Mark Cook completed a gruelling 85-mile bike ride in a day and managed to hit their fundraising target of £4,500 which will be split between the club and TOG Mind.

Carl, who is part of the first team management, said: “Thank you to everyone who took part and donated as well as those who helped organise everything.

"Mark's wife Julie drove with us all day in her car with stocks and supplies to keep us hydrated in the hot weather.

"It was planned very well and everyone enjoyed the event.

"We are so happy to hit our target and be able to support the club and local charity TOG Mind."

The funds raised will not only ensure that the club's open age teams can continue to thrive, but also help with the continued delivery of a range of mental wellbeing support and resources in the local area.

Jenny Higson, CEO at TOG Mind, said: “We are hugely appreciative to everyone who organised, took part in and supported the Ride for Mind event.

"We have seen a significant increase in demand during Covid for some of our services, and donations like this go a long way to help us support people.

"As one of over 100 independent branches of Mind, anyone helping to fundraise really is supporting their local branch massively. Thank you so much."

If you would like to find out more about Heyside Football Club you can visit: https://www.heysidefc.co.uk/ and if you or anyone you know would like to access support or training with TOG Mind or get involved with fundraising, please call their office on 0161 330 9223, visit the website at: https://www.togmind.org/home or check out the Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind Facebook page.

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