Members of Fulwell Golf Club have raised £51,326.78 in support of Richmond Borough Mind's work with children and young people.

The remarkable fund raising effort comes against the background of worrying evidence of rising mental health issues among the borough's young people, exacerbated by the pandemic.

Higher level of eating disorders among girls were identified while suicide levels in the area are at a 20 year high.

At the same time, an official study published earlier this year identified gaps in NHS care and long waiting lists for support and treatment.

The money raised during the club's Captain's Charity Campaign 2022 will be used by the Mind charity to support continuing expansion of mental health support for children and young people living or at school in Richmond borough.

Susanna Gillett, Fulwell Golf Club's Captain, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the amount we've raised this year.

"Coming out of the pandemic we were aware mental health was an issue that needed more support, particularly where young people and children were concerned.

"Club members really got behind the cause and helped us more than double our original target of £20,000. I am so proud to have helped start more conversations about mental health".

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The club led a comprehensive awareness and fundraising campaign, including talks and challenges, such as the 100-hole challenge, Ride London and completing three marathons in one month as well as auctions, raffles and sweep stakes.

The chief executive of Richmond Borough Mind, Val Farmer, said: "With waiting lists so long and funding for mental health services not nearly enough, this significant contribution from Fulwell Golf Club will help us start to fill the gaps. Young people have higher mental health need than ever".

Richmond has high rates of hospital admissions for mental health, self-harm and alcohol presentations compared to the rest of London, according to the Richmond Mental Health Needs Assessment 2022.

It identified: "Growing concerns about mental ill health and the number of people seeking help, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic."

It found there has been an increased prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) and increased waiting times for services.

Specifically, it pinpointed:

* A noticeable increase in eating disorders in girls.

* Significant unmet need in children and young people requiring a single professional response.

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* A surge in young people requiring crisis care during the height of pandemic restrictions.

* Increased levels of inpatient care, disproportionately affecting girls.

* The highest rates of referral to specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) compared with other boroughs in south west London.

* Rates of self-harm are consistently high, consistently in the top quartile of London boroughs.

As an independent charity, Richmond Borough Mind relies on donations from the community to fund their work.

If you would like to donate, please visit the Richmond Borough Mind website https://www.rbmind.org/

For more information about mental health support, please call 020 3137 9590 or email [email protected].