Earlier this season, Estevan Bruins’ forward Brady Nicholas spearheaded a local charity initiative amongst his teammates: Mental Health Movember.
Like traditional ‘Movember’ campaigns, players, coaches and staff grew out their moustaches or beards during the month of November. However, unlike traditional Movember campaigns, the funds raised were not shipped off to a global entity…they were donated right here at home to Envision Counselling & Support Centre.
A total of $1,000 was raised through the GoFundMe effort, with donations coming from fans, friends and family of the Estevan Bruins.
“We wanted it to stay within the community,” stated Nicholas after the Bruins presented Envision staff with the $1,000 cheque. “Instead of going with the Movember Foundation, which is more global, Envision Counseling was a way to help directly benefit the community while showing our support within the community.”
While the Movember Foundation covers various health areas, including prostate cancer and other diseases, Nicholas really wanted the Bruins’ campaign to shine a light on Mental Health awareness…something that is personal for him.
“Mental health is something that affects everybody, either directly or indirectly,” said Nicholas. “I’ve seen it affect family members, friends, teammates, guys on other teams. It felt right to raise money for something that meant a lot to me.”
Nicholas, currently a rookie in his first year with the club, plans on resuming the campaign next season with the same mindset of keeping funds raised here in Estevan…the community that he now calls home during the hockey season.
The Estevan Bruins’ thank everyone for their support in the campaign!
Both local media outlets in Estevan covered the story as well.