A BROMSGROVE man has set up a car club to help raise mental health awareness and remove the stigmas which come with it.
Ambitious Dan Pendry-Moore, owner of SadBoiRaceClub, is providing an opportunity for car-enthusiasts to get together and talk about their love of motors.
He said: “We are actively raising mental health awareness by using car culture and the modified car scene to entice people to get the support they need.
“It’s largely a masculine environment where mental health isn’t discussed.
“People don’t want to talk about their problems because they’re worried they will get judged.”
Dan decided to start the club because he knows what it feels like to have depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide.
While he recognises he isn’t professionally qualified, or running a charity, he believes he can help others in the same way he has managed to help himself.
The club’s website points people in the right direction to get help.
One of the main charities it promotes is Calm Charity – a leading a movement against male suicide.
“We are also doing promotion campaigns and ‘shout-outs’ where we interview people who are suffering,” said Dan.
“A picture of them with their modified cars, along with the interview, is posted on our website for others to read.
“Most of the people talk about how their passion for cars and how it helps them.”
Dan says the brand, started in August, is growing rapidly with five sponsors already on board.
Two YouTubers have thrown their weight behind the project as well.
T-shirts and stickers can be purchased on SadBoiRaceClub’s website at www.sadboiraceclub.bigcartel.com with a percentage of the profit going to Calm Charity.
Dan added: “I use the rest of the money to help expand the brand.
“I want to open people’s eyes, offer a safe place, break down walls and let people know they are not alone.”
To keep up to date with the latest goings-on follow the club at instagram.com/sadboiraceclub or like them on Facebook by searching ‘SadBoiRaceClub’.
