Pupils at a North Belfast secondary school are holding a golf day to support a local mental health charity.
The Head Boy of St Malachy's College, Malachy Burns, is organising the event as part of his Head Boy programme to support TAMHI (Tackling Awareness of Mental Health Issues).
The mental health charity uses sport to raise awareness of mental health and resilience, and has been a big support to pupils at the Antrim Road school over the years.
Malachy told Belfast Live about how the event - which will be held on Wednesday, October 20 - first came about.
He said: "The whole idea was generated from my Head Boy programme, in which we will also partner with TAMHI. So, I decided to combine my roles as head boy and chairman of the sports science class to carry out this event. The event counts towards more than half of our Sports Science A-Level.
"I along with several other members of the class are keen golfers, and after the rise in golfing after the lockdowns we felt that holding a golf day would be more than appropriate to achieve all our objectives.
"It is also an original idea in terms of our previous sports science events, as no class has ever organised a golf tournament. We wanted to raise the bar and we felt that the golf tournament would allow us to do that."
When it comes to the work TAMHI carry out within the school and local community, Malachy said this is their opportunity to give back and show their appreciation.
He added: "Every year they come into the school and carry out 'the schools programme', they take 6-7 students out and give them the opportunity to become youth leaders within the community. Several members of the class took part in this programme last year and we even managed to win the young leaders award within our community.
"Over the past several years the school has been through a lot, with many tragic deaths. TAMHI have always been there for us as students and have spoiled us whenever we go to help them, particularly one of the charity's managers, Mickey Meehan.
"They are real people in our community that make a real difference. When I am volunteering for them, I feel like I am making a direct impact that will help others in our local area. They have given me the opportunity to develop my communication, team-working and public speaking skills and grow into a young man."
Anyone wishing to support the event that will be held on Wednesday at Cliftonville Golf Club, can donate directly to TAMHI on their website or by emailing support@tamhi.org
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