Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton endorses social club Tackling Minds

Former world champion boxer Ricky Hatton has joined Littleborough social club Tackling Minds as an ambassador.

The 43-year-old has been extremely open about his struggles with depression since retiring from boxing in 2012 and has now voiced his support for the local organisation.

Tackling Minds is a not-for-profit fishing organisation, which runs angling events for people who are suffering with mental health issues, social deprivation, addiction and recovery, disabilities and long-term health conditions.

It was founded in 2020, during lockdown, by David Lyons, who is now working on helping others cope with the issues he has battled with, such as alcohol addiction and anxiety.
 

Read more: Social club aims to tackle mental health concerns with fishingPublished: 04 February 2021

On a Facebook video with Tackling Minds, Hatton said: “I think the best medicine you’ll get (for mental health issues) is physical activity.

“I used to do fishing many many moons ago, I used to go with all my mates. We’d get up at 4/5 in the morning and get in a taxi with our baskets, and it was brilliant.”

 

 

David said: “It’s absolutely amazing to get such recognition from somebody of his stature, especially because he’s such a huge advocate when it comes to mental health."

David has also been boosted by the news that Angling Direct, the leading angling company in the country, has agreed to stock Tackling Minds’ merchandise, with all proceeds going straight back to the organisation.

Tackling Minds last year became the first organisation to work alongside the NHS in prescribing fishing for those with mental health issues.
 

Read more: Littleborough's Tackling Minds to become first organisation to work with NHS in prescribing anglingPublished: 23 April 2021

If you want to get involved with Tackling Minds, more details can be found on their Facebook page.