DAFC Back Local Charity

Dunfermline Athletic are pleased to back suicide prevention awareness month at this Saturday’s match against St Mirren.

According to the last recorded statistics by the Samaritans Scotland has a higher than average suicide rate compared to the rest of the UK with 6,581 recorded suicides across the UK and Rep of Ireland in 2014.

Tragedies in the media and sporting world with the famous comedian and film star Robin Williams, Germany goalkeeper Robert Enke, and former Wales manager Gary Speed all tragically taking their own life. Also, former footballers such as Clarke Carlisle, Lee Hendrie and Leon McKenzie have openly spoken about their battle with depression and failed suicide attempts in the the past.

Suicide is not inevitable, it is preventable and what we are trying to do today with our suicide prevention awareness is encourage people that if they are feeling down and low, or maybe just not quite feeling themselves to talk to someone. Talk to a family member, talk to a friend, talk to the Samaritans, even talk to a stranger but talk to someone. Don`t fight it alone, and don`t suffer in silence. Let`s address the problem early before it becomes a crisis, and stick together as a community, a town, a family, and as a club. 

‘We Are The Change’ is a local organisation set up by a group of friends (Barry Foster, Kenneth Bulstrode, Stuart Morris, David Hill and Cameron Morris) after two of their close friends tragically took their own life just six months apart from each other.

After researching the alarming statistics, they felt they had to act to try to create awareness across Scotland for an illness that can affect people across all age groups. They are a self-funded organisation who now rely purely upon donations and money raised at fundraising events such as a recent race night at the Elizabethan pub on Halbeath Road, with their aim to hold awareness days and marketing campaigns across Scotland such as the one we are holding this Saturday at East End Park for our match against St Mirren.

General Manager, Michael Mlotkiewicz said: “We are delighted to support
‘We Are The Change’ at this Saturday’s match against St Mirren. Our players will wear special warm up t-shirts to raise further awareness of the Charity and suicide prevention”.

For more information on We are the Change, visit their website – http://www.wearethechange.help