After Cartmel YFC member Cally-Jo Dickinson lost her brother to suicide last year, the support from her club and county was unwavering. Now, nine months on, Cally-Jo is channelling her strength into organising an epic triathlon — not only to raise funds and awareness for a vital mental health charity but also to give back to the club that stood by her side.
A: It’s me, my sister-in-law Lucy Dickinson, and Becky Barker. This is Lucy and Becky’s last year in YFC, so they wanted to go out on a high and give back to the club.
A: We are splitting the money raised between the mental health charity ANDYSMANCLUB and Cartmel YFC.
ANDYSMANCLUB is a free, men-only support group where men can just have a brew, a biscuit, and an open chat. Facilitators are present who can point people in the right direction for more support if needed. My brother, who sadly took his own life, might have found the group helpful if he’d known about it.
It was really moving that the club chose to support this charity without me even suggesting it. They’ve been a massive support for me during this difficult time.
A: The whole Cumbria YFC community was incredible. I lost my brother in April, and in May it was the Field Day. Everyone — whether from my club or others — reached out, even if they only knew me through YFC. People kept me busy with club activities and checked in without directly asking if I was okay, which made things easier.
A: YFC is a safe, inclusive space where you can feel supported without judgment. Whether you need to talk or just need a distraction, there’s always something happening, and you know people genuinely care.
A: We’re doing it over two days – Friday 13th and Saturday 14th June. We'll swim the equivalent of Lake Coniston and Lake Windermere (100 lengths of a 25m pool), cycle 42 miles, and then finish with a two-mile circular hike at Gummers How. Younger club members will join us for that part.
A: We’ve been swimming two-three times a week and training on bikes at the gym. Once the weather improves, we’ll hit the roads. We did think we had bitten off more than we could chew to begin with, but it’s getting easier, and we’re having such a laugh. After a bad day at work, you know you’re going swimming and just having a great time with friends.
A: We’ve set a target of £5,000 but hope to exceed it. The local community has been amazing, and we’re getting sponsorships, including logo spaces on our support vehicle. You can donate to the fundraiser online here.
If you’re struggling, it’s important to reach out and talk to someone. See our Signposting to Support page for links to support organisations if you finding it difficult to speak with family or friends.
