A FATHER from Basingstoke has organised a charity wellbeing evening after going through “one of the toughest years” of his life.

Fifty-six-year-old Steve Parker is organising the wellbeing evening, which will be held at the Plush Lounge Bar on Wote Street. He will be raising money for a mental health charity that helped him through the struggles of Covid and the impact it had on his mental health.

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He said: “I have suffered from depression, and this was especially hard throughout Covid because it really hit me in a bad way.

“I didn’t want to go outside because I thought Covid would kill me so I really went through a year of absolute hell.

“I have all my friends and family to thank because they were just there with me the whole time. There was nothing they could do but it’s just having someone there to get you through that really matters.”

The evening will be raising money for a range of charities including Andy's Man Club, a charity that is close to Steve’s heart with £600 already raised.

Andy's Man Club provides a place for men to come together to talk about issues and problems they have faced or are currently facing.

On top of this Steve will be raising money for mental health charity Mind, The Donkey Sanctuary and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event will be taking place this weekend on Saturday, January, 29 and a whole host of entertainment has been arranged.

Entertainment on the night will includes, Leroy Wilson, who has been a DJ in Basingstoke since the 1970s, a disco, a dance off and raffle prizes.

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Steve hopes to support local businesses, with all the raffle prizes helping out surrounding businesses.

Steve added: “If anyone is ever going through depression please just pick up the phone and speak to someone.

"You will get through it and you will get there if you just pick up the phone or speak to someone you know.”

For more information or to donate, visit: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/wellbeing-evening.

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