Two Ripon charities have shared more than £5,400 following a community football tournament organised by the team behind The Portly Pig.
The Pig Cup six-a-side competition, held at Ripon City AFC's Mallorie Park Drive ground last month, raised £5,422, with Andy's Man Club and Ripon Men's Shed each receiving £2,711 to support their work.
The fundraiser was organised by Stuart and Katie Ross, with guidance from Helen Cotterill-Smith, a regional safeguarding officer with the English Football League, after turning the idea for a football tournament into a community fundraising event in less than six months.
Representatives from both charities received their donations on Sunday outside The Portly Pig on Kirkgate.
Owen Pearman of Andy's Man Club, which meets every Monday evening at Ripon Bowling Club, said:
“This is a brilliant boost and will help us to cover the cost of holding our meetings, paying for items such as tea and coffee and biscuits.”
He added:
“As well as raising money, the Portly Pig’s high-profile promotion of the Pig Cup tournament was invaluable as it raised awareness of the suicide prevention work that we do.”
Ripon Men's Shed, which was launched in 2021 and now has more than 40 members, says the donation comes at an important time.
Shed manager Barry Sutton said:
“We continue to grow and now have more than 40 members who are involved in our community-based projects.
“The money that we are receiving as a result of the Pig Cup is well timed, as it will help us with the creation of our new workshop.”
Barry added:
“We greatly appreciate the support of Stuart, Katie, Helen and John and all at the Portly Pig and thank them for choosing us, alongside Andy’s Man Club, to receive the money that was raised.”
Before the tournament got underway, players and supporters observed a minute's silence in memory of men who had taken their own lives, highlighting the importance of the work carried out by both charities in tackling loneliness, social isolation and poor mental health.
Speaking about the impact of suicide, Helen Cotterill-Smith said:
“Around three quarters of the deaths are among males and very sadly, with approximately 20 lives lost per day, suicide remains the leading cause of death for people under the age of 35.”
Stuart Ross thanked everyone who helped make the event possible.
He said:
“Katie and I would like to thank everybody from Helen and John, to Ripon City AFC, Ripon BID, businesses and organisations across the city, who entered teams for the tournament and donors who gave us items of football memorabilia for the Pig Cup charity auction.
“Every contribution added to the final result and we know that the funds raised for two great charities will be well spent in supporting their vital work.”
Lilla Bathurst, manager of Ripon BID, praised the community effort behind the event.
She said:
“The Pig Cup tournament is another shining example of how Ripon’s independent businesses and organisations work together to back community-based activities, from Saturday’s St Wilfrid’s procession to last month’s Ripon Theatre Festival.
“It’s what makes our ancient, heritage rich, Cathedral City of the Dales such a special place to do business, live in and visit.”
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