Leeds United fan's football team in fundraiser for Andys Man Club

A Leeds United fan's fundraising football team is set to play a match on World Mental Health Day weekend to raise cash for Andys Man Club.
Darren PowellDarren Powell
Darren Powell

Darren Powell’s team The Kews will play a team called Luke's 11 in Sandal, Wakefield, on Sunday October 11 to raise cash for Andys Man Club, the men's mental health peer support group charity.

World Mental Health Day on Saturday October 10 is an international day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma.

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The match kicks off at 2pm on Sunday at West Yorkshire Sports and Social Club at Sandal Hall Close, Sandal, Wakefield.

The Kews will be wearing Andys Man Club T-shirts on the day to try to raise awareness of men's mental health issues.

Mr Powell said: "I know a lot of lads who have taken their own lives.

"Andys Man Club does a lot of work to support people and we want to raise as much money for them as we can."

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The Kews raised £500 for three-year-old Ellis Price of Horbury during a charity match v Hall Green United in August.

Ellis, who was suffering from terminal brain cancer, lost his fight for life on Sunday September 20, 12 days after his family held early Christmad day celebrations for him.

Mr Powell , of Kettlethorpe, Wakefield, travelled to the Whites’ home and away matches with Michael Kew, before Mr Kew lost his cancer battle aged 40 in April 2015.

After his friend’s death, Mr Powell vowed to raise £100,000 for charities and good causes in his friend’s memory.

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So far he has raised more than £65,000 for a number of causes by organising charity football matches involving his team, The Kews.

The Kews played in August to raise money for the NHS and thank staff for all the work they have done during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Six players from The Kews appeared alongside boxing champion and fellow United fan Josh Warrington on Sky Sports show Soccer AM in February.

The show's presenters John 'Fenners' Fendley and Jimmy Bullard signed a The Kews T shirt, which was auctioned at one of their fundraising matches.

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Andys Man Club group sessions have moved online due to the lockdown, with video communication software being used instead.

For more details on the group and the challenge, visit Andy's Man Club Leeds Facebook page.

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