For many MAN v FAT players, stepping out onto the pitch after joining the programme is the first time in many years that they’ve kicked a ball.
But, after pulling on the boots again, the lads often get the appetite to play more football as their fitness grows.
Our MAN v FAT St Helens players are taking this to the extreme, with an upcoming fundraising event in August, where they’ll play for 24 hours to raise funds for the Sean’s Place charity.
Sean’s Place is a men’s mental health charity that aims to improve men’s mental health and well-being across Merseyside, through support specifically identified to improve confidence and self-esteem for men whilst reducing depression, stress and anxiety and suicidal thoughts.
Debbie Rogers, CEO and Founder, said: “”Huge thank you to everyone at MAN v FAT for choosing Sean’s Place to support. To have so many men choosing to take part to raise awareness of mental health for other men and fundraise to support our service is incredible.
“This is how we truly save lives together. Very best of luck to everyone taking part, and thank you on behalf of all of us at Sean’s Place!”
To find out more about the event, we caught up with Beck Phillips, who has had a successful weight loss journey with MAN v FAT, who gave us all the key info.
1) Tell us how the idea for the fundraising game came about?
The idea came about when one of our lads, who’d just returned from injury, was eager to play, but we didn’t have enough people available that evening. He was going to miss the next session too, so it felt like we’d hit a bit of a football drought. Someone joked, “I could play for 24 hours straight,” just to make up for the lack of games. That joke quickly turned into a serious discussion, and we thought, why not?
A 24-hour match could be a perfect way to bring everyone together, get active again, and raise money for a good cause. We put out a poll to see if others were on board, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. It was clear this wasn’t just a one-off idea—it was something everyone wanted to get behind. And from there, things snowballed fast, with local venues and sponsors jumping in to help make it happen.
2) The St Helens club has built a fantastic community in the last couple of years – how have the lads got behind this and other community based ideas?
The St Helens lads are fiercely competitive, but what really stands out is how welcoming and supportive we are as a group. We push each other to be better, whether that’s on the pitch or in supporting local causes. We’ve always got each other’s backs, and it’s that unity that makes us stronger.
As a club, we’ve raised over £6,000 for various charities and local causes, including fundraising for Oddballs and Muscular Dystrophy UK. We’ve done a number of charity drives and always make sure to rally around the community when needed. Whether it’s a team member running an event or us collectively pitching in for a good cause, we’re always ready to step up and help where we can.
3) How did the club come to choose the cause?
As a group, we all know how important physical health is—that’s why we joined MANvFAT in the first place. But mental health is just as vital, and often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. We felt it was important to support a cause that tackles that side of things head-on. When we looked into options, Sean’s Place really stood out.
Their work is about removing barriers and providing immediate, non-judgemental support to men across Merseyside—helping to reduce isolation, anxiety, and depression. After hearing their story and how the cause was set up in memory of Sean, it struck a chord with a lot of us. Choosing them was an easy decision.
4) What excites you most about the event and what do you think will be the biggest challenges?
First and foremost, what excites us most is the chance to do something real to support Sean’s Place. If this event helps raise awareness, starts conversations, or makes a tangible difference to even one person, it’ll be worth every aching muscle. Knowing that we’re backing a cause that provides immediate, life-changing support to men who are struggling—that’s the real driver for us.
On top of that, there’s the buzz of seeing the community rally together, especially in those tough night hours when energy’s low and team spirit carries you through. The biggest challenge will be keeping everyone going for the full 24 hours—but with the cause we’re playing for, we’ll find a way to dig deep.
