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Fleetwood Town Community Trust’s amputee veteran completes incredible feat

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Fleetwood Town Community Trust’s Community Engagement Manager – and former army sergeant – has carried out an incredible fundraising challenge.

After hearing a local woman’s battle with terminal cancer, Rick Clement was inspired, and decided to task himself to complete the Great North Swim in aid of her and her family.

Serving in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan as a soldier for 14 years with the Duke of Lancaster Regiment before joining the EFL Club Community Organisation, Rick suffered life-changing injuries after encountering an improvised explosive device.

As a result, Rick lost both of his legs and suffered severe damage to an arm.

A regular fundraiser for several local causes and armed forces charities, the 44-year-old from Fleetwood was embraced by Sarah Jones at the finish line, after he completed the one mile race in 1 hour and 17 minutes.

“The first half was against the wind with the waves crashing into me as I took a breath, so I had to adapt my strokes to raise my head further above the water line,” said Rick about his challenge in Windermere.

But I kept setting my targets to the group of people in front of me and began to slowly hunt them down. As I hit the halfway marker it felt like I had made good time, and I knew the wind would be behind me on the way back.

“As I swam, I thought about Sarah and knew I couldn’t let her down by failing to finish. As I hit the finish line, I felt proud to have achieved my goal for Sarah and her family.”

Sarah said of Rick who oversees the management of a variety of projects all aimed at positively influencing the lives of local people:

“I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to an extraordinary guy whose strength and determination are truly inspiring.

“Rick’s commitment to raising funds despite facing his own challenges is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for compassion and resilience. His efforts have not only provided support in my battle against terminal cancer but have also raised awareness about the struggles faced by many in similar situations.

“His selflessness and dedication are a beacon of hope and have made a significant impact on my life, my family, and the lives of others. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your incredible generosity and for showing the world what true courage looks like.”

With an initial target of £500, Rick, from Fleetwood, managed to surpass this and raised over £1,700. The funds will allow Sarah and her family to create some valuable memories.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 – Q&A with Headstart Mental Health Transformation Officer

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Earlier this week, as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, we announced the expansion of our Headstart programme across the North West of England.

Headstart, which has supported almost a thousand pupils since it began with the milestone transition from primary to secondary school will be delivered by a further seven EFL Club Community Organisations (CCOs)

The 11 CCOs will work in schools, providing one to one or group support, in either a classroom environment or delivering sessions, like yoga and mindfulness, through dedicated Mental Health Transformation Officers.

Meet Rachel Walker, one of the first Mental Health Transformation Officers in post, making a big difference already in her area. We caught up with the Fleetwood Town Community Trust team member…

How did you hear about this new role?

I saw this role advertised online whilst I was completing my Masters degree in Child and Adolescent Mental Health and Wellbeing. As I was already working with this age group at a local youth club, I felt it was the perfect role for me to apply for to support with their transition to secondary school.

  What type of sessions do you deliver in schools?

There are a variety of sessions included to ensure the children are learning different methods to support their wellbeing. So far, I have delivered sessions such as mindfulness, creativity, physical activity (yoga) and player visits. I also then deliver one-to-one sessions with specific children which aims to offer a safe space with interventions involving anxiety, anger and coping strategies.

 Why are they important for young people?

These sessions are important for young people because it allows them to see that mental health is normal. The majority of the children are Fleetwood Town FC fans so for me to be wearing the Club’s badge, discussing mental health and ways to enhance wellbeing is really important for them.

How are the young people and schools responding to your sessions?

The young people and the schools are responding really well to the sessions. The children are always excited to have me back as we learn about different mental health topics and coping strategies. The schools have received some great feedback about the benefit of these sessions, especially in how I will follow these Year 6 children to Year 7. In turn, this offers a familiar face from their primary school, who they know can continue this support whilst they settle in and transition to secondary school. The young people and the schools are reporting back that the children are acknowledging ways to cope with their feelings and often say ‘we have done this with Rachel’.

Headstart makes expansive headway in North West

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Thousands of Year 6 pupils across the North West of England, making the transition into secondary school, will benefit from a mental health programme involving several EFL Club Community Organisations (CCOs).

Since 2022, the EFL Trust and four CCOs have supported dozens of schools and hundreds of pupils across Lancashire and South Cumbria via a pilot project called Headstart, thanks to funding from Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity after successfully applying for an NHS Charities Together Grant.

The EFL charitable arm is delighted to announce, during Mental Health Awareness Week (15th – 21st May), the programme – which has supported almost a thousand pupils since it began – will be delivered by a further seven charities.

The CCOs will work in schools, providing one to one or group support, in either a classroom environment or delivering sessions, like yoga and mindfulness.

Fleetwood Town Community Trust, Preston North End Community and Education Trust, Morecambe FC Community Sports and Accrington Stanley Community Trust each have a Mental Health Transformation Officer, all of whom aim to reduce strain on the NHS by targeting those children currently accessing or are at risk of needing to access children’s mental health services.

Blackpool FC Community Trust, Blackburn Rovers Community Trust and Burnley FC In The Community have joined the Lancashire cohort of CCOs delivering the programme.

In addition, Bolton Wanderers In The Community, Foundation 92, Rochdale AFC Community Trust and Wigan Athletic Community Trust have come on board thanks to funding and support from Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership, GreaterSport and local authorities; Trafford Council, Wigan Council and Bolton Council.

In 2020, one in six (16.0%) children aged 5 to 16 years were identified as having a probable mental disorder, increasing from one in nine (10.8%) in 2017.

Adrian Bradley, Head of Health & Wellbeing at the EFL Trust said:

“Our Club Community Organisations are well connected within schools across their communities, and we’ve seen some wonderful and impactful examples during our pilot year of delivering the programme.

“We’re delighted that we’ve received further funding for more Club Community Organisations to deliver this programme across Lancashire and Greater Manchester, and reach and support as many children as possible, making that milestone transition in their lives from primary to secondary school.”

Caption: ITV Football visited Larkholme Primary School in Fleetwood to witness EFL Trust Headstart Programme delivered Fleetwood Town Community Trust.