Stand with us for Better Mental Health

Hello there. Thank you so much for spending some time looking at our fundraiser.

The fundraiser and sculpture are dedicated to all of those who have been affected by suicide and poor mental health.

I'd love you to consider 'Standing with us' to raise much-needed funds to train adults in suicide prevention for young people while supporting the funding of the helplines and that MIND provide. The sculpture was put together using 7000 forks. I'd like to think that everyone could consider sponsoring a fork with a donation of just £1.

My name is Annabel and I'm part of a fundraising team with Stroud School of Art at SGS College. We've worked together over the past four years to create a unique piece of sculpture now displayed in the College grounds for all to enjoy. This autumn it now serves as a fundraiser for those young people suffering though poor mental health.

STAG was born out of the passion of one young man wishing to make a feature film in his home town. In 2017, Guy Davies, brought this dream to life in partnership with Fablemaze Productions. The film they made together is a coming of age drama that follows the lives of a young group of friends about to leave school for uncertain futures.

Following a national cinema release in 2020, it now streams online worldwide: 'As I Am'

When the film was wrapped 7000 forks that had been used as props on set needed disposing of. Discovering that they could not be scrapped, I set about trying to find a sustainable solution for them. I approached Stroud School of Art and luckily, the team there were keen to collaborate. This collaborative project would serve as work experience while offering welding, design and build skills for students. The stag form was chosen as the animal appears throughout the feature film at key turning points:

In 2020 the sculpture was complete and exhibited at the film's premiere at VUE cinema in Stroud. It has since been erected outside SGS College where it stands as a reminder of artistic resilience in the face of the many challenges faced by all of us during the past two years. STAG is a 3-D legacy to the power of storytelling and resilience through art and film. It is also symbolic of hope, regeneration and
sustainability.

As any coming of age drama makes clear, growing up is often stressful and difficult. And can be fraught with anxiety and low self-esteem.

We are therefore seeking to raise funds for charities that work with young people and their families to ensure that there is help in times of challenging mental health.

The College student community has tragically been affected by suicide in recent years and it is our wish to ensure that mentor training is available for staff and that help and support is ALWAYS available to anyone in need.

• Please help us do this. We would be so grateful if you will consider supporting this appeal to raise funds for: Sunflower Suicide Support and MIND  by donating or sharing this campaign.
• I'm aiming to raise £7000 in the hope that each of the 7000 forks will raise £1 each.

Yours very gratefully, Annabel & the STAG team x

***P S : There will be an exhibition of the STAG story and student work later in the year. Please let us know if you would like to be invited. ***

Photo: S. Hill (Shows acting duo Tamzin Malleson and Keith Allen 'launching' the sculpture with sunflower garlands at SGS College on 9.10.21)

Links: FABLEMAZE ,

South Gloucestershire & Stroud College ,

'As I Am' Film ,

Guy Davies Director

See more information about the STAG here