Fathers complete 24-hour match for health charity

Organiser Paul Godfrey said the 24-hour football match became a "mental battle"

A group of fathers said they felt "overwhelmed" after completing a 24-hour football match in aid of a mental health charity.

The challenge was organised by Match of the Dads, a Norwich-based organisation which encourages men to keep physically fit and share support and advice about fatherhood.

Thirty-eight players took part the match, which ended with a scoreline of 322-297.

Paul Godfrey, who founded the group in 2017, said there was a "feeling of pride" amongst the participants.

The charity effort has so far raised about £1,600 for Campaign Against Living Miserably, a male mental health awareness and suicide prevention charity.

Norfolk and Waveney Talking Therapies also supported the challenge and provided shirts for the players.

Match of the Dads runs a five-a-side Monday night football league for about 180 men

Match of the Dads runs a five-a-side Monday night football league for about 180 men each week, but Mr Godfrey said the feat of playing for 24 hours was "a mental battle".

He said the game - which started on Saturday lunchtime and finished on Sunday - began in "scorching hot" conditions and turned into a psychological challenge in the early hours.

"Everyone dug deep," said Mr Godfrey. "Some people played all the way through from midday.

"Taking on something like this helps you realise you have the inner strength to do so much. It's all about personal growth."

Sam Burgess said he was "shattered" after playing for nine hours

Sam Burgess, who played for nine hours, said the challenge was "all for a good cause".

He said by the end of the match he was "shattered" and "a little bit sore", but proud of the group's efforts.

Anthony Deery, the chief nurse at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT), said: "Events like this are a great way of raising awareness of men’s mental health and how men also need support in the perinatal period.

"We are pleased to be able to support this group with their new kit and promote the message #noparentleftbehind so people can see that NSFT is working hard towards safer, kinder and better services for all."