STAFF and regulars at two town centre bars are set to face off in a football match in a bid to tackle mental health issues.

The game will see Hop Co on Bold Street and the Lounge on Springfield Street in what is being billed as the Charity El Classico.

A 90-minute, 11-a-side game at the home of Rylands FC will see funds raised for mental health and suicide prevention charities Calm and Papyrus.

This latest fundraising event follows on from a charity boxing night in September, with an evening of live music planned at the Gorsey Lane club after the match.

Hop Co manager Cameron Brown said: “The charity boxing event last September was really well received, so we wanted to do another.

“We all love football, so it was an obvious choice.

“As a group of people, we’ve had run-ins with various different mental health issues.

“The idea is that Hop Co and the Lounge can be a safe space to talk about mental health issues to break the stigma.”

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It is hoped that the game – which kicks off at 2pm on Sunday, April 28 – will raise £5,000 for charity.

John Atkins, bar manager at the Lounge, said: “A lot of people suffer with mental health problems and don’t speak up, so we just want to raise awareness.

“Nobody from the Lounge won in any of the boxing matches last time, so we want to redeem ourselves.”

Cameron added: “It should be a good laugh but we’re going to absolutely batter them.

“I’m genuinely concerned it could go into double figures, and it will end up being embarrassing.

“If the Lounge actually score a goal I will donate £50 of my own money.”

Tickets are priced at £5 for adults or £2 for children and are available from Hop Co, the Lounge and R'Teapot in Padgate.