A personal trainer has raised over £1500 for charity after his battle with depression inspired him to help others.
Barry McConnochie, from Toryglen, arranged a charity football event at Toryglen Regional Football Centre.
The 36-year-old recruited 32 friends and family, some travelling from afar as England, to come and raise money for SAHM (Scottish Association for Mental Health) and their United to Prevent Suicide campaign.
He told Lanarkshire Live : “I knew several people during COVID that took their own lives.
"Four years ago, I battled with depression and the experience was intense.
“I grew up in Glasgow and missed the camaraderie of the sport and the strength in numbers. The aim of this was to raise awareness and to fundraise. Several of the men who played with us have been impacted by mental health.”
The match – which was on Saturday. December 4 – has so far raised £1555 for the charity.
Previously, Barry had fundraised around £600 for the Marie Curie Foundation.
Craig Wright, one of the players and Barry’s brother-in-law, said: “Men’s mental health was a prominent focus during the lockdown. Sport is a big driver for mental health awareness.”
Barry hopes to raise money by having more matches every six months.
He said of the match: “This is my way of giving back. This will be the first of many.”
The fundraising page remains open for donations.
You can find more information about the charity here.
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