Turriff gets ready for Let’s Kick This Together tournament
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Let’s Kick This Together, a charity football derby launched last year by two Turriff businesses to raise awareness of men’s mental health is returning on Saturday, this time as a tournament involving 34 north-east teams.
Organised by Darren Findlay of Chapman Electrical and Ryan Morrison of Ardinn Homes, the event began as a football match between teams from the two businesses along with a family fun day at The Haughs, Turriff.
It was so successful that it was opened up to more teams and players as a five-a-side tournament.
This year’s event, which takes place on Saturday, June 17 at The Haughs and kicking off at 10am will involve around 170 players with most of the teams coming from trades businesses across the area.
Each team is contributing a £100 participation fee with all funds raised going to the 2023 designated charities, Men United SCIO, a peer support group based in Peterhead, and Mental Health Aberdeen which provides free counselling throughout the area.
Funds were also being raised through a series of pre-event fundraisers, and from activities at the community family fun day.
Last year, almost £12,000 was raised for two locally-based charities Home Start and Turning Point whose services include mental health support across the north-east.
“The main reason for organising the first Let’s Kick This Together was to raise awareness that it’s okay not to be okay,” said Darren.
“It was never about the final figure, but we were blown away by the total raised last year which went towards supporting the vital work that Home Start and Turning Point do for local communities. We’ve not set a fundraising target this year, as the main reason for this is still to raise awareness of mental health issues.”
Ryan said: “After last year’s match we were keen to see what interest there would be in organising a tournament and the uptake has been amazing with 34 teams signing up.
"It’s a chance for us all to get together, play some football and have a few laughs while supporting a very good cause.
"If we can help just one person while doing that then the event will have been a success.”
Annie Kenyon Developments (ak|d) returns as main sponsor for the event.
Annie is regularly involved in arranging and supporting annual charitable events and fundraisers.
The three companies have worked together on a regular basis on projects for ak|d for more than 16 years.
“It’s great watching this year’s tournament develop,” said Annie.
“There is a huge buzz in the run up to the event. Everyone is getting very involved by posting on social media, making podcasts, creating lots of friendly rivalry and light hearted banter.
We’re very pleased to be involved again and to continue to help promote the message that it’s okay not be okay.”
The organisers say that Let’s Kick This Together wouldn’t be such a success without help and support from the community and local businesses.
In addition to ak|d, it is also being sponsored by Bridgend Aggregates Ltd, King Edward, Banff (winner’s cup) who are also returning for the second year, and by Edmundson’s Electrical Ltd’s Elgin Branch (match day ball sponsor); LJF Coatings Ltd, Dyce, & Halo Tanning Turriff (media sponsor) and Martin Milne Taxi Service Turriff (match day refreshments).
In recognition of their achievement in highlighting mental health awareness in the construction industry, Darren and Ryan were named joint winners of the Over and Above category at the 2022 Trades Awards.
The award celebrates an individual who has brought significant improvements to their workplaces, the wider industry, or the community.
With games taking place across the four pitches, the group section is expected to finish around 3pm with the final at approx 3.45pm.
