David Baker

There been times in my life when I truly understood how heavy things can become for a man suffering in silence. Like so many others, I reached points where I felt lost, overwhelmed, and unsure how to keep moving forward. From the outside, people often see strength, confidence, toughness, or resilience, but the reality is that many men fight battles nobody else can see. Combat sports saved my life on two separate occasions. It gave me purpose, discipline, structure, and somewhere to channel the pain when I felt like giving up. Without it, I honestly don’t know where I would be today. Through this journey, I’ve realised how many men are struggling in silence every single day. In the UK, around 74–75% of suicides are men. That statistic alone shows how desperately support, conversation, and awareness are needed. That’s why I’m dedicating every competition and every fight to the men who are suffering, struggling, or feel alone. I want people to know there is always someone willing to listen, support, and help. All money raised through this fundraiser will go towards raising awareness for men’s mental health and supporting incredible organisations such as ANDYSMANCLUB, who provide life-changing support to men across the country. I’ve already managed to raise a substantial amount in recent months, and I’ve seen firsthand how much these groups care about helping men through difficult times. If you are able to donate, no matter how small, you will be helping support men in our communities who may be fighting battles behind closed doors. Most importantly, if you are struggling yourself, please know this: you are not weak for speaking up, and you are never alone. Thank you so much for your support. David ❤️