Andrew Ward and friends are running the St. Helens 10k to support State of Mind on March 1st 2020

Due to my long standing friendship with Dr. Phil Cooper (co-founder of State of Mind Sport, for the past 4 years, myself and a couple of friends have been running the Saint Helens 10k race, sporting the very dashing ‘State of Mind’ logo, in an attempt to raise awareness of mental health issues, primarily in Rugby League & sport but also the wider community.

This year, the cause has sadly become much more prominent in our lives due to the loss of our very own dear friend Si Ellam a former teacher pictured (far left) with his students below.

On April 15th 2019, Si lost his battle with anxiety. You never think this could happen to your loved ones until it does. Each and every one of us must open our eyes and work together to bring this hugely devastating illness to the fore.

But to do this, and to provide help and education, the ‘State of Mind’ charity needs constant fundraising (as well as hobbling around St. Helens on a cold Sunday morning wearing the logo). www.justgiving.com/fundraising/stateofmind10krun

Soooo….I am asking anyone and everyone, friends of Si’s or not, to make donations to this ever important cause. Because of Si, this years runners have increased some what!

List of Runners…

Phil Cooper & Family consisting of: Helen, Sarah, Hannah, Catherine, Liam and Luke.

Finley Ellam and his mates Tom and Chris.

Steph Rigby, Dave and Auntie Shirley Sawyer and Judith Fox.

Anne-Marie and Rob Berry.

Claire Barber, Lee & Andy Ward.

Also, in memory of Si, we have organised a rather splendid party to take place at the Albion public house, Battersby Lane, Warrington.

Starting at 1.30pm on 1st March 2020. Jenny from the Albion has very kindly allowed us to put on an all day disco, with the best DJ IN THE WORLD EVER!! (Alan O’Donnell) and later on live music from the fantastic Warrington bands Brown Sauce and DogBone!

These lads are volunteering their services free of charge to help this remarkable charity so please come down, buy a few raffle tickets and celebrate the life of Si Ellam together!!