Pars to show their support for the Samaritans on match day
THREE points are up for grabs on the pitch on Saturday but tackling mental health awareness will also be on the agenda at KDM Group East End Park.
As Dunfermline Athletic host Kelty Hearts in their second SPFL League One meeting of the season – the first-ever between the clubs along the Halbeath Road – the occasion will be marked with a day promoting the work of the Samaritans.
The organisation are, this year, celebrating their fifth anniversary as a charity partner of the football club, and this weekend’s fixture is the latest that the Pars have chosen to help promote its services.
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the Samaritans respond to around 10,000 calls for help a day across the UK, offering listening and support without judgement or pressure.
With suicide being the leading cause of death of men under 50, both the club and the charity hope that, by working together, they can encourage men and young people who find it difficult to talk about their problems to come forward.
As part of the awareness day, players will sport Samaritans t-shirts during their pre-match warm-up.
Eddie Martin, mental health ambassador with Dunfermline Athletic, commented: “As a club, we are committed to doing all we can to help charities and worthy causes, particularly in our local area.
“The values of Samaritans of Dunfermline are the same values held at Dunfermline Athletic.
“We are proud to be celebrating our fifth anniversary with Dunfermline Samaritans, with many more in the future.”
Ged Lafferty, from the Samaritans, added: “In order to mark our association with DAFC, we will be participating in an awareness day at the team’s home game against Kelty on Saturday at East End Park. The aim of the event is to promote our aim that ‘Fewer People Die By Suicide’, and raise awareness of our service locally.”