Page 12 - Real Rochdale Issue 09 Winter 2020

Stephen Gartland Foundation
The Stephen Gartland Foundation was set up by
Brad Gartland in memory of his father Stephen, a
former rugby league player and coach.
He spoke to Katie Davies about the stigma
surrounding men and their mental health, and
what he is doing to help raise awareness.
The Stephen Gartland Foundation officially
launched at Rochdale Mayfield Rugby Club in
February 2017.
Following a battle with anxiety and depression,
Stephen Gartland, an avid rugby player turned
influential youth coach and aeronautical
engineer, sadly took his own life in August
2016, aged just 45.
Recognised as ‘Garty’ to all that knew him,
Stephen grew up in Oldham and in his youth
played rugby professionally for Rochdale
Hornets, Oldham Roughyeds, and Swinton
Lions, building a career that spanned nearly a
decade from when he was first signed in the
early nineties.
After retiring from his playing career, Stephen
became a popular youth coach, coaching the
‘Garty’s Boys’ youth side at Rochdale Mayfield,
where he had also played for the open age first
team, hoping to inspire youngsters into the
game that he loved.
In the months that followed his death,
Stephen’s eldest son, Brad, launched the
Stephen Gartland Foundation in his memory.
He wanted to encourage men to speak out
about their problems, but to also give back
some of his father’s generosity to the local
community, carrying on his legacy.
It was decided the foundation, also known as
SG6, would raise funds for local junior sports
teams, including for kits and equipment, as well
as medical treatment and equipment for sick
children. It also aims to contribute
towards Andy’s Man Club - a group where men
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2020
Members of the community shared details of
can meet to talk about their problems in a safe
environment and speak with others who have
faced similar situations.
24-year-old Brad, who lives in Lowerplace with
his mum Joanne and 22-year-old brother Liam,
said: “My dad was such a thoughtful, generous
and caring man who gave up a lot of his time to
help others. After he took his own life, it left a
massive hole in everyone’s hearts.
“He was a man who was full of inspiration and
he was the life and soul of the party. For this to
happen to such a happy, outgoing, and
passionate person just shows how powerful
depression, and mental health issues, can be.
“We are such a close family that would always
be open about anything, but dad never felt that
it was okay to talk about how he was feeling
because he was too proud.”
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or
night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on
116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit
samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
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the social media campaign #ItsOkayToTalk in
Stephen’s memory. The campaign, founded by
Halifax rugby league player Luke Ambler, raises
awareness of male suicide and works to
remove the stigma of depression.
The road leading to the Mayfield ground in
Castleton has been named after the late coach,
known today as ‘Steve Gartland Way’ and
Rochdale Hornets also lent support, with the
inaugural Steve Gartland Memorial Trophy.
Ben Nevis climbs, sponsored bike rides, an
annual T20 cricket match and running from
Carlisle to Newcastle are just a few examples of
how SG6 supporters have fundraised over the
last three years, raising thousands of pounds to
make life easier for people experiencing
difficulties.
In return, the foundation has donated
thousands to worthy causes, ranging from
youth sport organisations to supplying a
month’s worth of food vouchers to a young
mother diagnosed with terminal cancer and
donating towards the cost of materials so a boy
suffering with a chronic condition could regain
his independence.
Most recently in June 2020, Brad Gartland and
his brother, Liam, presented Rochdale RSPCA
with a £500 cheque after seeing the damage
caused to its premises by flash flooding.
Stephen Gartland playing for Rochdale Hornets
during his professional career
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Local sports teams with links to the
foundation include SG6 on their kits
“My family and I want to thank all the sports
clubs and individuals who have helped us
through fundraising over the past few years,
generally supporting us and spreading the
word,” said Brad. “You are all massively
appreciated and we wouldn’t have
accomplished what we have without you.”
Data from the Office of National Statistics
reveals that in 2019 the male suicide rate for
England and Wales was the highest it has been
for two decades, with around three-quarters
of registered suicide deaths among men (4,303
deaths compared with 1,388 female deaths).
The highest age-specific suicide rate was of
men between the ages of 45 to 49 years.
Brad continued: “It’s frightening how high the
numbers are, yet mental health and suicide get
very little attention. It is vitally important that
men feel comfortable to talk about their
feelings and issues.
“People might look like they are okay on the
outside, but they might be facing so many
different problems on the inside. Never take
for granted that people feel okay.
“I want it to change for other people, so they
don’t have to go through what my dad did.”
REAL ROCHDALE - WINTER 2020