Members of a Portadown-based Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club are set to spar for 24 hours straight to raise money and awareness for men’s mental health.
Members within Labyrinth BJJ club identified a need to support the cause of ‘Movember,’ and promote positive mental health for men.
To do this, they have decided to organise a ‘Rollathon’ which will see members sparring for 24 hours straight in aid of the charity.
The event will run from 7pm on Friday, November 29, to Saturday, November 30 at 7pm, and will see a number of members take part.
The initial fundraising target was £500 but, after this was surpassed within days, the target was raised to £1,000.
Will Watson, club member, explained: “There’s going to be guys sparring for the duration of the full 24 hours. Obviously you can’t expect a guy to fight for 24 hours straight so what they’ll do is take shifts, so there’ll always be somebody sparring or rolling.
“The gym will be open and guys will be there right through the night, some guys are coming in at 4am to take on their shift. A few guys will stay the whole way through but most will come in in shifts.”
Labyrinth BJJ, which started last year, aims to provide a safe environment to promote the physical, social and mental benefits of the sport to its members.
While they initially started out in Portadown Rugby Club, the club has since moved to their own premises, and today boasts around 80 members, alongside 20 children.
“There’s roughly 15 to 20 guys so far have put their names in the hat,” Will said. “There’s also people contacting me from other clubs who are looking to come in and join up.”
For Will, the club provides vital support for men emotionally and physically.
He said: “I find that it’s a release because people don’t have to think if they’re too busy sparring and fighting. You can’t do this kind of thing and then be thinking about your problems in the back of your head.
“You have to focus on what you’re doing and on the learning aspect. It’s also great for your physical fitness. We’ve had guys come in, some of the fittest people in the country, and they’ve been completely blown away by how much fitness was needed.”
He added: “Also for people with mental health issues, it just helps your confidence, and that ability that if somebody is having a go at you on the street, you can deal with the situation without even hitting them.
“We have guys that come in and they’re having issues at home. They can come in, turn off their brains, chat to the lads and just sit down and talk about football, or the last UFC card they were watching, and just chill, relax and pick yourself up and go home afterwards.”
Click here to visit the Movember donation page and support the club’s appeal.
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