Posted: Wednesday 7 November 2018, 16:10
On Tuesday 6 November teams from Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS), Derbyshire Constabulary, Derby County Community Trust and Landau Forte College Derby, played the second annual 5-a-side Charity Football Tournament for International Men’s Day.
The first tournament was hosted in November 2017 to celebrate International Men’s Day and in particular highlight mental health issues that can affect men and boys. This year’s tournament, once again helped highlight these issues, whilst also raising money for Mind, the mental health charity, and The Fire Fighters Charity.
International Men’s Day has six objectives: to promote positive male role models, to celebrate men’s positive contributions to society, to focus on men’s health and wellbeing, to highlight discrimination against men, to improve gender relations and to create a safer better world. By highlighting health and wellbeing in ways such as this, it further demonstrates the Service’s continued commitment to the wellbeing of its employees and of the communities that we serve.
Speaking ahead of the tournament, DFRS Positive Action Officer Rachel Salmon said: “All of the organisations involved in this tournament have community focussed elements and embody the theme of positive male role models. The last tournament, which was won by Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service, was a huge success and raised over £100 for our chosen charities.”
“The success of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week shows the Service’s continued commitment to the wellbeing of its employees and we were keen for this to continue in a relaxed setting. Collaboration between fire service and police personnel is growing ever stronger and we now have regular 5-a-side games between fire and police staff. We’re pleased that Derbyshire Constabulary and Derby County Community Trust, are once again involved and also look forward to seeing what the team from Landau Forte have got as they are this year’s unknown entity!”
Sgt Adam Wilkins from Derbyshire Constabulary said, “We’re thrilled to get involved with this tournament again and raise awareness for important issues, as well as some money for worthy charities. We’re looking forward to winning the tournament and I’m sure that will add to some good natured rivalry at headquarters”.
This year’s winners were Derbyshire Constabulary, but more importantly over £100 was raised for Mind, the mental health charity, and The Fire Fighters Charity.
