Bolton Wanderers Chairman to lead Charity walk in support of mental health projects

Bolton Wanderers’ Chairman Sharon Brittan is to lead a fund-raising 20-mile walk from Bolton to Accrington Stanley to support frontline community mental health provision.

Sharon – along with BWFC Director Nick Luckock and CEO Neil Hart – will undertake the walk this coming Saturday (11 December) with the aim of arriving in time for Wanderers’ League One fixture at Accrington.

Almost 50 supporters and fellow fund-raisers have signed up to take part, with the walk leaving the University of Bolton Stadium at 7am and expecting to take up to seven hours.

All money raised will support Bolton Wanderers in the Community’s mental health provision, which offers a wide-ranging programme of support for people from across communities in Bolton.

Speaking about the walk, Sharon Brittain said: “The pandemic changed all of our lives for so many different reasons and we now know one of the serious consequences of lockdown is the toll it’s taken on people’s mental health.

“BWitC’s mental health provision is addressing this directly, reaching out into the Bolton community to offer crucial support.

“They are working with those hit the hardest by the events of the past 18+ months, including people who are unemployed, suffering from addiction and isolated senior citizens. 

“I'm delighted that so many fans have joined me and that together we can raise vital funds for those who most need our help.”

Richard Slater, Health and Disability Manager for Bolton Wanderers in the Community, said: “Over the last 18 months we have seen the number of people experiencing poor mental health in our community, and across the country, increase dramatically with heightened risk factors such as unemployment, poverty, debt and widening inequalities.

“At BWitC, we have identified and prioritised our mental health work as we come out of the pandemic and we look to help those members of our Bolton community that need it.”