The Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Support Project recently had the privilege of participating in a remarkable event hosted by Collins Aerospace in Wolverhampton. On Thursday 19th October 2023, as the partnered charity for Collins Aerospace, we were invited to join an inspiring gathering featuring Former World Heavyweight Champion Frank Bruno MBE. The extraordinary event was a collaboration between Raytheon BNX (Black Excellence Network) and embRACE ERG, commemorating both Black History Month and World Mental Health Day.
Frank Bruno shared his captivating journey through his boxing career and his experiences with mental health. He displayed immense strength and vulnerability while speaking about his mental health journey and how he manages it on a day-to-day basis. His openness resonated with the audience and left a lasting impact, sharing the importance of addressing mental health issues openly.
The event also featured a panel discussion with Frank Bruno. The panel delved into the topic of mental health, providing further insight and perspective on what mental health means and what we can do to support one another.
We felt incredibly welcomed at this event and appreciated the opportunity to participate and raise awareness about sickle cell and thalassaemia blood disorders within our community. The engagement and interest displayed by the attendees in learning more about these conditions was truly heartening.
We would like to extend our gratitude to Collins Aerospace, Raytheon BNX, embRACE ERG, and, of course, to Frank Bruno for marking Mental Health Awareness Day and Black History Month in this way.
We look forward to more collaborations and initiatives that bring our community together for a brighter, healthier future. Thank you to everyone involved for their contributions and dedication.