A close shave with former England players scores a win for men’s mental health charity

An East Yorkshire electricity worker is powering the way for men’s mental health as part of a joint campaign with the global men’s health charity Movember, and Gillette, who has been working with the charity for more than 10 years to change the face of men’s health.

Twenty-seven-year-old Cory Walkington, a Connections Technician at Northern Powergrid, has spent the last five years raising money for Movember, with the latter three years as a Sports Ambassador for the charity, alongside ‘Team Brid and Boro’ partner, Ryan Wilson.

Together the duo from Bridlington and Flamborough have raised over £30,000 to help support mental health, suicide prevention, prostate and testicular cancer.

With sport at the heart of their fundraising goals, cycling the ‘Way of the Roses’, a 170-mile coast-to-coast route from Morecambe to Bridlington, and enduring a 100-mile one-day charity ride from sunrise to sunset, Cory and Ryan’s selfless efforts scored them the opportunity to take part in a recent podcast featuring former England International footballer and Gillette Ambassador, Ian Wright, as well as Liverpool’s own Jamie Carragher.

The collaborative segment with Movember and Gillette on ‘The Overlap’ podcast also features former Premier League stars Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon – discussing the realities of life as a footballer; opening up about mental health challenges and strengths both on and off the pitch.

As special guests, Cory and Ryan joined the footballers to ‘shave-down’ ready for the start of Movember taking place during November; while sharing their incredible passion for men’s mental health and their target to smash the £30,000 already raised.

Cory, whose role working for the electricity distribution network operator for the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire delivers connections services and serves customers for new or amended electricity supplies, is a job that naturally mirrors the fundraising he does in his spare time - connecting local men from Bridlington, Flamborough and surrounding areas to champion positive mental health and wellness.

Speaking about the podcast and exciting opportunity to meet four football legends, Cory who is a life-long Arsenal supporter, said: “It was a huge privilege and boyhood dream to be invited to meet GOAT Ian Wright, alongside Jamie Carragher, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Aaron Lennon. Taking part in the special Movember episode of Wrighty and Carra’s Football Heroes helps to build momentum to kick-off the Movember campaign.”

Cory, who first became inspired to fundraise for men’s mental health after being personally affected during the Coronavirus pandemic lock-down periods, spending a long time without connections and being isolated from friends and family, continued: “Movember is a fun and visible way for men to stand-up and be counted – growing their finest mo’s – whether that be a quirky moustache, full blown beard, or simply being proud of their patchy stubble; everyone can help raise much-needed funds and awareness.

“On filming day, I was lucky enough to get an England shirt signed by all four football heroes and I’m raffling it off to raise further funds for Movember.”

Andy Bilclough, Northern Powergrid’s Director of Field Operations said: “Cory’s role at Northern Powergrid is all about making connections, whether that’s to the Grid to make sure our customers can use their low carbon equipment such as electric vehicles or heat pumps or making sure he gets the right people together to make a new connection happen. It’s all about finding the time to talk, which is at the heart of the great charity he supports.

“Through our Force for Good programme, we have previously match-funded Cory’s fundraising efforts, donating over £1,000, and we’re proud to champion this worthwhile cause to improve health and resilience for men and young people across our region.”