Ey Up Ben

ABOUT BEN

About Ben Rowntree

Ben Rowntree sadly took his own life in 2017 after battling mental health issues including depression for several years. He had spent periods of time at Wakefield Fieldhead mental health hospital before committing suicide in July 2017 at 33 years old.

Ben was a much loved member of the community and had many friends in the Wakefield area. He often helped out older people in the local area with gardening and odd jobs and would help anyone who needed it. A core member of the Kettlethorpe Rugby League team. Ben played rugby plagued by shoulder injuries but never failed to turn out and play with his mates on a Saturday afternoon.

Ey Up Ben was set up to raise awareness and funds to support men's mental well-being in memory of Ben Rowntree who will be missed forever by his family, friends and team mates.

ABOUT BEN

Why We Do What We Do

After Ben took his own life on the 2nd of July 2017 his family, friends and team mates were in utter shock and the upset ran deep across the local area. Ey Up Ben was established to provide an outlet for those left behind and allow us to focus on something positive in Ben's name. Ey Up Ben is in its 7th year and through our annual events and other community events the message around getting support and talking about your feelings is constantly been promoted.

HERE'S HOW WE HELP

Fund-raising

Ey Up Ben raised funds in support of Men's Mental Health Charities or initiatives in West Yorkshire

Support

Ey Up Ben is a group of local friends, families and team mates who support each other but can also provide a link into other organisations and support.

Raising Awareness

Ey Up Ben promotes the culture of men talking but more importantly men listening and looking after their mates. We will promote information and upload information to our Facebook page and this website to help anyone who needs it.

UPCOMING

The FAN DANCE Fundraiser

On Saturday the 14th of September 2024 the Ey Up Ben team will be attempting the famous 24km SAS Selection fitness challenge known as the "FAN DANCE" across the Welsh Brecon Beacons. This our biggest challenge to date; this challenge will see the team walk this famous route in support of our 2024 Charity partner Man Matters in memory of Ben Rowntree.

If you would like to donate you can do so by clicking on the "sponsor us" link below

Are You Struggling:

Here are some organisations which you can access, call or reach out to for some help or support. The biggest step is reaching out but please take that brave step as these volunteers, charities and local or national groups want to help you!

The Community Awareness Project (CAP) in Wakefield

Address: 2 Market St, Wakefield WF1 1DH

Phone: 01924 381119

Homeless People

Poverty

Alcohol Abuse

Drug Abuse

Visit Site

Samaritans Wakefield

Phone: 0330 094 5717

Address: 37-39a Charlotte Street, Wakefield, WF1 1UL

Depression

Suicidal Thoughts

Anxiety

Visit Site

Andy's Man Club

Address: Wakefield Trinity RLFC, Doncaster Road, Wakefield, WF1 5EY

Meetings are every Monday at 7PM (except bank holidays)

Anxiety

Depression

Suicidal Thoughts

Visit Site

Man Matters Wakefield

Tel: 01924 787507

Address: 5-5a Cheapside, Wakefield, WF1 2SD

Depression

Anxiety

Suicidal Thoughts

Post-Traumatic Stress

Visit Site

Turning Point

Address: 58 Kirkgate, Wakefield, WF1 1HX

Telephone:01924 234860

Anxiety

Suicidal Thoughts

Depression

Visit Site

West Yorkshire Suicide Prevention

West Yorkshire 24hr Helpline - 0800 183 0558

-Adults (aged 18+) - 01924 316900

-Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) – 01977 735865

-People with a learning disability – 01977 465435

Visit Site

Op Courage - Military Veterans Support

Tel: 0300 373 3332

Email: OpCourageNORTH@cntw.nhs.uk

Post-Traumatic Stress

Depression

Anxiety

Suicidal Thoughts

Visit Site

Rugby League Cares - Offload

Email: info@rlcares.org.uk

Visit Site

Battle Scars - Self Harm

Address: Onward Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub, Onward House, Millshaw Park Way, Beeston, Leeds, LS11 0LS

Contact: Follow the prompts on the website and then you submit a relevant referral form.

Self Harm

Visit Site

StrongMen - Bereavement

Contact: You must fill in the registration form which is triaged in priority order.

Bereavement

Visit Site

Mind

Telephone: 0300 102 1234

Drug Abuse

Anxiety

Suicidal Thoughts

Depression

Alcohol Abuse

Visit Site

TIMELINE

THE STORY SO FAR

2023

Snowdon Wales 2023 in support of the Samaritans

In 2023 the Ey Up Ben team climbed the Snowdon Mountain in Wales in memory of Ben and in support of the Samaritan's. We walked up the Pyg and down the Miners with a quick dip in the lake on the way back. The refreshments afterwards made it all worth while as the team told funny stories of Ben.

RAISED: £3,795

2022

Ben Nevis Scotland 2022 in support of the Community Awareness Programme (CAP)

In 2022 the Ey Up Ben team walked the Ben Nevis mountain in Scotland in torrential rain and wind to raise funds to support CAP in Wakefield. Probably the most horrible days walking we could have imagined, but the team prevailed with water flowing out of our boots and some heavy legs. A long drive and two nights on a campsite but well worth it to complete this challenge in memory of Ben.

RAISED: £4,566

2021

Scarfell Pike England 2021 in support of Andy's Man Club

In 2021 the Ey Up Ben team walked the Scarfell Pike mountain in England to raise funds to support Andy's Man Club. Glorious fog greeted us at the top but the assent was a real test. Due to the fog we missed the planned path back down off the peak and fell, slid and ran down the shale and rock leaving someone a bit bruised. A great walk with a bit of swimming and childish jumping of rocks into rivers followed by some light refreshments.

RAISED: £5,202

2019

Wakefield Wheel 2019 in support of Ey Up Charity

In 2019 the Ey Up Ben team biked the 38 mile Wakefield Wheel cycling route in fancy dress. An amazing fun but gruelling hot day saw some crazy fancy dress, children's bikes, tantrums and falls. After the event Ben's family and friends all met at Newmillerdam to welcome us at the finish. A local event so it was a great day to meet up and catch up with old friends so the team organised a fancy dress Halloween

RAISED: £1,190

2019

Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge 2018 in support of Ey Up Charity

In 2018 the Ey Up Ben team completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks Challenge. This was our first event and the start of our group in memory of Ben. The challenge was a shock to some old rugby players with injuries and bad knees but the group finished with smiles and laughter followed by a high speed drive back to the Kettlethorpe Hotel for refreshments, karaoke and a buffet. We put a lot of effort into this fund raising in support of Ey Up Charity and managed to attract some media attention and an invite to Mayors tea party.

£11,130