Rick Shiels sets off on mental health awareness challenge
03/02/2021
PGA Member and YouTube star Rick Shiels is walking 18 holes (four miles) each day in February carrying a full set of golf clubs to help raise awareness of mental health.
As part of the challenge, Shiels, who has amassed more than one million subscribers to his popular YouTube channel, is also raising funds for the mental health charity MIND.
After starting his daily challenge on Monday (1st February), Shiels has already surpassed his fundraising target, with more than £19,000 raised after just three days.
“With golf courses currently being closed in England, Wales and Ireland, lots of golfers aren't able to get out and enjoy their beloved sport,” said Shiels, who is one of golf’s most watched online personalities.
“For many people golf is their whole social life, their escape from the stresses of work, home and the world we live in. It's an opportunity for golfers to talk to others about life, relationships, finances, work, the future and the past.
“Without these regular interactions, many people are not having those conversations on a regular basis and, therefore, they will miss those casual and important chats, and many people struggling may experience mental health issues and depression.
“To help raise awareness and raise money for MIND, I am walking 18 holes (four miles) everyday through the month of February carrying my golf clubs on the streets, in parks and areas close to my home.”
Shiels is also setting up Zoom calls during his walks for people who are struggling in the current national lockdown restrictions, giving them an opportunity to discuss any issues they may be facing.
Shiels is no stranger to organising successful fundraising activities. In 2019, the Bolton-based PGA Professional hosted a YouTube Golf Day at Formby Hall. The event brought together golf content creators, celebrities and golf stars with more than £15,000 raised for Prostate Cancer UK.
You can follow Shiels’ challenge on Twitter and Instagram.
CLICK HERE to find out more about Shiels’ mental health challenge.
