A Whittlesey teenager joined some of the world’s biggest YouTube stars to raise more than £215,000 for charity and awareness about boys’ mental health.
Fahren Woodcock watched internet sensations Sidemen and YouTube Allstars go head-to-head in front of a sell-out crowd and a global audience of millions on May 21, raising funds for the NSPCC’s Childline and the Charlton Athletic Community Trust.
The 19-year-old Sidemen fan and NSPCC Shadow Board of Trustees member was at the match and met the players in front of five million online viewers.
More than £200,000 was raised from ticket sales, with another £15,000 donated by viewers on the day through Just Giving.
Mr Woodcock: “It was an amazing experience to meet people I watch on a daily basis but it was more of an honour to represent Childline at such a big event with an important message.
“Boys are six times less likely to use Childline but more likely to commit suicide or have suicidal thoughts. It’s important to stress that there is support available to them and they don’t have to feel that they’re less of a man for using it.”
Sidemen are a group of seven friends who shot to fame through their own YouTube channels and attracted 27,000 fans to Charlton’s The Valley stadium.
KSI, Behzinga, Wroetoshaw, Zerkaa, Miniminter and Vikkstar teamed up with eight other Sidemen YouTubers while Calfreezy, Callux, and Chris MD are among the players who played for the YouTube Allstars.
The You Tube Allstars won the match 2-0 and a Childline video encouraging boys to talk about their mental health was screened online and on the big screens at the ground.
Speaking to viewers ahead of kick off, Emily Cherry the NSPCC’s head of young people and participation, said: “Everyone who’s come, everyone who’s supporting, you’re doing something amazing for children. In the UK a child contacts Childline every 25 seconds and we want to get to every call and you’re helping us do that.
“We want to encourage more boys to speak to us or speak to a trusted adult so we’ve got a new campaign and video called Tough to Talk that will help you. Whatever your worry, if it matters to you it matters to Childline.”
The match is available to view online via Sidemen’s channel and has been viewed almost 5.5 million times.
To donate visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/SDMNFC
The Tough to Talk campaign can be viewed via the Childline website www.childline.org.uk
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