Man stabbed in street attack - Champion Newspapers

The Champion • Wednesday 18 December 2013Men urged tolook out fortheir mates at‘high pressure’festive periodReport by Ollie CowanMEN in Sefton are being urged tolook out for their mates andthemselves over the festiveperiod, after there was a massive20% increase in calls to a helplinein November and December lastyear.THE Campaign Against LivingMiserably (CALM) charity, whichis highly active in Merseyside, hasincreased its work in Sefton overthe past 16 months because of arise in suicide rates among menaged over 35.CALM’s Man Down campaign,which was launched in Augustlast year, sets out to assure men inthe area that it is OK for them toopen up if they feel under stressor unhappy.It has resulted in a 467%increase in calls to the CALMhelpline from men in the Seftonarea.Simon Howes, CALM campaignco–ordinator, said: “We aredelighted that the Man Downcampaign has hit home with somany blokes across Sefton so farand they are realising that it is OKto talk to someone about theissues that are worrying them orgetting them down.“In the first month of thecampaign we had more than 300men contact our free andconfidential helpline whichshows us that there is a real needPlea followshuge leap incalls last year tocharity helplinefor support. Since then, we’vehad thousands of calls from mendealing with a range of issuessuch as anger management, thebreakdown of a relationship,caring for a sick loved one or theafter–affects of redundancy.”CALM has taken its message towhere men are such as gyms,running groups, sports clubs,fishing clubs, music venues, pubs,bars and social clubs acrossSefton.Mr Howes: “We know from ourwork last year that Christmas is apressure point for men.“It doesn’t help that often themedia portrays us blokes as beingnot much use this time of year.“Men also don’t tend to havemany support networks in theirlives which can make Christmaseven harder to deal with.“We want to get across thatbeing silent isn’t being strongand there is help out there if menneed it.”CALM offers advice to anyone.Its phone line seven days a weekbetween 5pm and midnight, aswell as a website full of advice.STARS twinkled andangels gatheredover Bishop DavidSheppard PrimarySchool onDevonshire Road inSouthport this weekas childrenentertained theirparents at theannual Nativityplay.A spokesperson forthe school said:“The FoundationStage nativity is aspecial one for manyparents, holdingmany fondmemories of theirchildren’s firstperformance.“It was wonderful.Our children learntabout the story ofChristmas andshared this messagewith the manyfamilies and friendsthat attended theirstunningperformances.”SFVisit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 9School’s pride at ‘stunning’ Nativity performanceCambridge Park FC to hold reunionA REUNION will be held for theformer players of CambridgePark FC on January 17 at theHesketh Social Club.Starting at 7pm former playerswill be able to meet and swapstories about the club thatstarted all the way back in1967.The club, which played atEmmanuel Road in the Juniorleague and then in the Sunday(and briefly Saturday) DistrictLeague.Although a young team, theyhad an average age of just 18when they played in 1968, theywere successful in local leaguesand cup competitions.Several players also went ontohave extended trials withfootball league clubs andTommy Cheetham and AlanAlty had successful spells atSouthport. Sadly the clubfolded in 1971.The decision to stage areunion was held after formerplayers met at Alan Alty’sfuneral.1125259STROKE REHABILITATIONAt home or in our rehabilitation centreCall for a FREE verbal consultationTel: 01695 574 317www.burscoughneurophysio.co.uk10 Hattersley Court, Burscough Road, Ormskirk, L39 2AY1101857