Gee Cross Hosts Powerful Awareness Evening for Andy’s Man Club

On Friday, 3rd October 2025 at 7pm, Gee Cross Community Centre was alive with emotion, laughter, and heartfelt conversations as residents gathered for a special awareness evening in support of Andy’s Man Club, the rapidly growing men’s mental health charity.

The event, spearheaded by local champions Hayley Hulme, Ash Hulme, and Oggie Ogden, marked a significant step toward bringing a new club to Hyde, offering men a safe space to talk, listen, and heal.

From the moment the doors opened, the atmosphere buzzed with warmth and purpose. Locals from all walks of life, business owners, community leaders, councillors, and families, came together, united by one message: “It’s okay to talk.” The evening featured personal stories of resilience, live music, and touching tributes to those the community has lost, reminding everyone why such initiatives are vital.

Organiser Hayley Hulme described the event as “a night where Hyde found its voice again, together, honest, and strong.” Co-organiser Ash Hulme echoed her words, adding, “We’ve seen too many people suffer in silence. This event proved our community is ready to change that.”

Oggie Ogden, the driving force behind the awareness campaign, expressed heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming turnout. In a statement after the event, he said:

“The support we saw from Gee Cross and the wider Hyde community was beyond words. People came together regardless of age, background, or belief with one goal, to make a difference. Local councillors for different parties, health workers, community leaders, and residents all stood side by side. That’s what community looks like. Thanks to this incredible response, we’re now proud to confirm that Andy’s Man Club will be opening its doors in Hyde very soon.”

The excitement doesn’t stop there. Andy’s Man Club also announced the official opening of a new club on 27th October 2025 at Woodley Sports Village, just three miles away, marking the first-ever club in the Stockport area.

The evening was more than an event; it was a movement, filled with humour, compassion, and hope. In a town that has known its share of sorrow, Gee Cross showed the world that togetherness heals.

One moment that touched many hearts came when a local farmer rolled up on his tractor, headlights beaming, to show his support. His presence was more than symbolic, it shone a light on the farming community, where long hours, isolation, and pressure often take a heavy toll on mental health.

“Farmers are the backbone of our community,” said one attendee. “They feed us, they work tirelessly, and they need to know it’s okay to talk too.”

The image of that tractor parked proudly outside the community centre became a lasting reminder, no matter how isolated life feels, no one should face their struggles alone.

 As one attendee put it: “We’ve lost too many good men. Tonight, we gained a reason to keep talking.”

As the evening drew to a close, Oggie Ogden took a moment to express his deepest gratitude to everyone who helped turn a heartfelt idea into a powerful reality. From former mayors serving tea and coffee with pride, Present Mayor's and Deputy Mayor's showing political solidarity with other political parties for the need of their constituents, to the wives and partners of Andy’s Man Club facilitators who bravely shared their personal stories and the impact the charity has had on their families, every gesture of support helped build something truly special.

A resounding sense of brotherhood filled the hall as over twenty Andy’s Man Club facilitators stood shoulder to shoulder, representing the strength, compassion, and unity of the Hyde Borough. What began as one man’s dream became a shared mission, a promise kept to the community to ensure no one feels alone in their struggle.

Area Lead Luke Tetlow-Cross summed up the night perfectly, saying “I’ve attended many awareness events, but I’ve never been to anything quite like this. The emotion, the honesty, the sheer power in that room, it shows just how urgently Hyde needs this club. Not tomorrow, but today.”

From the first handshake to the last tearful hug, the Gee Cross awareness evening wasn’t just a step forward, it was a defining moment. A promise fulfilled, a community united, and a future full of hope.

Together, they made the dream a reality.

#ItsOkayToTalk #AndysManClub #HydeCommunityStrong