A mental health support group in Scunthorpe which has supported hundreds of men since launching three years ago has now launched its very own replica football shirt.
The One For The Lad’s group was set up by Des Comerford and Graeme Johnson who felt there wasn’t enough being done for men with mental health issues in the local area. The group continues to go from strength to strength and now has around 250 members.
The group holds free weekly meetings in the town’s Wortley House Hotel on Wednesdays between 6pm-8pm. It also holds free walking football sessions for members at 1pm on Sundays at the Brumby Hall ground, which is home to Appleby-Frodingham FC, for people of all different fitness levels.
The group believes it may be the first of its kind in the country to have its own bespoke replica football shirts, which are now on sale priced at £40 and available in sizes from medium to 4XL – anyone interested in purchasing one should contact the One For The Lads Facebook page online here.
The shirt was manufactured by sportswear brand VX3 and are in the support group’s colour of green. The replica shirts are being sponsored by Des’ fashion retail company True Heroes London, and they feature the One For The Lads club crest, which was designed by group member Clyde Longcake.
Des Comerford, co-founder of One For The Lads, said: “It is a group of lads who have got their own individual issues, coming together to sit around tables and talk about everyday life.
“We have created a safe haven, a place where everybody can come along and be in a non-judgemental environment.
“All of the lads support each other and the general consensus is they look forward to the weekly meetings and it is an important date in their diaries.
“None of us are medically trained but many of the lads are very experienced in their battles with mental health issues and this certainly helps other members.”
On the new replica football shirts, Des added: “It will provide much-needed funds to help and support all of our members. We are working on a number of community projects which the money will go towards and all of them will benefit our group members.”
One For The Lads including group member and local former bare knuckle boxing champion Jody Meikle (back centre). | Photo: One For The Lads
Group member Clyde, who designed the club crest, said: “It all came about when I was having a conversation with another member after walking football and I heard Des saying he was looking to produce a football shirt for the group.I offered to design the badge and the rest is history, really.
“I never dreamed that out of a five-minute conversation, I would be involved with helping to produce such a lovely shirt.
“I have also been told some well-known celebrities have already agreed to wear the shirt in support of our mental health group.”
The recent shirt launch also one of the group’s members called Dave speak about the importance of the group which helped save his life.
Dave said: “For me, One For The Lads gives a sense of camaraderie and a sense that we are all in this together.
“It is a community – not just a support group, not just a mental health group, an actual living, thriving community. A band of brothers.
“What the lads do every week is nothing short of remarkable. It shows just how strong people can be but it also shows the fragility of life.
“The two co-founders who set it up are probably the strongest people you will ever meet. They didn’t do it for accolades or anything like that, they did it to be part of a change.
“They showed me and told me that it really is ok not to be ok and I can say, hand on heart, that the group definitely saved my life.”
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We are appealing for help to identify the men in the photograph following a report of theft from Winthorpe, Skegness.
Two males with dark hair and beards allegedly entered the second-hand shop in the Seathrone Chapel Community Hall after 3:30pm on Saturday 18 June.
It’s believed one of the males distracted the staff member while the other entered a staff only area and stole a mobile phone.
We would like to speak to the men in the photograph in connection with the incident.
If you can help identify them or have any other information that can assist in our enquiries, please get in touch.
By calling 101 quoting incident 314 of 18 June.
By emailing [email protected] quoting incident 314 of 18 June in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
A restaurant in uphill Lincoln is opening a shisha lounge at the premises, the first of its kind in the city.
Marrakesh Restaurant on Lincoln’s Bailgate opened in October 2020, serving Mediterranean and Moroccan food such as tagine and mixed grills for customers to enjoy.
Since then, owner Afi Eliddri has been seeking to expand his business into a market not currently explored by other businesses in Lincoln – in the form of shisha bars.
Hookah pipes have been bought for customers to enjoy the first shisha lounge in Lincoln. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Marrakesh will be opening a shisha lounge inside the restaurant, offering something completely unique to the city as nowhere else in Lincoln boasts access to shisha.
The shisha lounge will officially open on Friday, July 1 from midday, remaining available until 11pm seven days a week.
Marrakesh can be found on the Bailgate in Lincoln. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Shisha is a molasses-based tobacco product that is heated in a hookah water pipe, which you inhale through and vaporise smoke with.
It is an emerging trend that has expanded exponentially in the UK in recent years, having originally dated back to medieval India.
The restaurant serves traditional Moroccan cuisine. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
Afi told The Lincolnite: “As well as the really nice food, great service and good atmosphere, we introduced the shisha lounge for a more diverse age range in our customers.
“It will definitely cater for a younger audience and we’re excited to get started with it.”
Open seven days a week between 12pm and 11pm. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
The hookah is placed outdoors in the garden, and Marrakesh owners say it will be a nice addition alongside the Moroccan food and Arabic-style bar, with food available to eat indoors and outdoors.
Marrakesh will be open from 12pm to 11pm, with times possibly varying on weekends, and you can order food or book a table from the restaurant’s website.
Multiple hookah pipes are on-site, meaning more people can enjoy the experience. | Photo: Ellis Karran for The Lincolnite
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