Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler were told by an emotional Peter Crouch that they’ve won a Pride of Britain award for setting up Andy’s Man Club, an initiative that has helped tens of thousands of men going through hard times
When Elaine Roberts and Luke Ambler popped into Peter Crouch’s podcast studio, they got far more than they bargained for. The duo thought they were with the footballer for an interview about their charity, Andy’s Man’s Club. But, through tears, Peter told them they’d won a Pride of Britain award for setting up the initiative that has helped tens of thousands of men going through hard times.
Luke said: “I’m never lost for words, but that’s stunned me. An emotional Elaine simply added: “Gobsmacked.” Elaine and Luke will receive their Special Recognition award on stage at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards in partnership with P&O Cruises, on October 19.
In 2016, Andy Roberts, Elaine’s son and Luke’s brother-in-law, tragically took his own life at just 23 years old. Elaine, 71, says: “Andrew was mischievous. Always had been, as soon as he could walk. He was like a little tough nut, but he had a heart of gold.
“I got a knock on the door to say they’d found Andrew. I told Luke, and I just broke down. ‘Our Andrew’s gone.’ Doesn’t get any tougher.” And Luke says: “He was just a really kind, very caring young man.”
Andy’s devastated family had no idea that he had been struggling so much. They soon discovered that male suicide is the biggest killer of UK men under 50.
Three months after losing Andy, Luke and Elaine used their grief to make a difference and set up Andy’s Man Club, a male suicide prevention charity. It’s a place where men struggling with their mental health can come together for support.
Elaine says: “Even though you’re drowning in your own grief, you don’t want anyone else to go through it, and you just want to stop as many as you can – whatever it takes to stop the next family going through it.
“I lost my son to suicide and Luke came to me three months later and suggested a coffee club where guys could go to talk, because I’m sure if Andrew would have talked to us he wouldn’t have taken his life.
Oliver Vikse, was one of the first nine men to walk through the door. He says: “I had a really bad period in my life. My family unit had broken down. I experienced homelessness and I lost three friends to suicide. I still remember the electricity in the room after that first session. It was so refreshing to sit and be heard.”
A simple concept was having profound effects. Luke, 36, a former pro rugby player, says: “Nine men turned up that first night. Not only did they need to talk, but they needed that connection to know that whatever they were going through in that moment, they weren’t the only one. A week after, 15 men turned up, and then 20 men, and it’s just never slowed down.”
Andy’s Man Club is a simple, barrier-free space for men to have “a brew and a chat”. It started as one initial group meeting with just nine men in Halifax, and has now – ten years later – expanded into more than 360 community groups across England, Scotland and Wales, alongside online sessions.
Member Omar said: “I’d been through a very dark time in my life. People comforted me, and people told me it was OK.” Member Josh said: “I’d lost my car, my job, my house. Something as simple as a hot drink and a smile made the heavy stuff feel just a little bit lighter.”
Neil said: “You feel worthless. Andy’s Man Club came along at just the right time. I think it’s safe to say without Andy’s Man Club, there’d be dead, divorced, or both.”
Anthony said: “I felt like I wasn’t worthy of a place on this Earth. And ended up taking an attempt at my own life. It felt like it removed the hood… completely changed my life. And then I wanted to help others as well. Without them, without the club, I wouldn’t be here.”
Every Monday night, roughly 7,000 men gather for free, confidential, walk-in peer support – no registration or referral needed. The sessions are completely volunteer-led, with all group leaders having first interacted with Andy’s Man Club when they used it themselves.
Luke says: “There’s one common thread that runs through it all: How can we give more guys hope, and how can we get more guys to believe that tomorrow can be better than today? If he’d have had a chat with someone, maybe he’d still be here now.”
And Elaine adds: “I’ve grown through my grief doing nothing but talking about it, helping other people. Haven’t we? I’d like to think he’d be proud. The amount of guys that come up to me and say, “If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here.” We’d rather he were here for Andrew, but it’s the next best thing.”
Determined to shatter stigmas, Luke also started a viral #ItsOkayToTalk campaign, which reached more than 100 million people worldwide, building an incredible legacy that has saved thousands of lives.
As part of their work to raise awareness, Elaine and Luke arrived at That Peter Crouch Podcast studio. Breaking the news of their Pride of Britain award, Peter was overcome with emotion. He said: “I get emotional when people have achieved something amazing, and I don’t think they’ve realised quite how many people they’ve touched.”
Elaine and Luke will be presented with their Pride of Britain Award on Monday 19 October, at the Mirror’s annual ceremony at Grosvenor House in London.
Elaine says her mission is just getting started: “We’re trying to break down the stigma and we’ve only just scratched the surface. It’s about helping as many men as possible, one person at a time. We’ve been told Andy’s Man Club should be on prescription, bottled and sold at Boots. It can be emotional, but it’s an uplifting experience and makes you feel connected.”
Luke says: “The goal has always been to stop other families going through what ours went through. Seeing men who needed support now giving it to others makes me so proud. We’d be nothing without our team, volunteers, supporters and everyone who’s contributed.
“Ten years building Andy’s Man Club alongside a growing family and my own business has been tough. But when someone says they’re still here because of it, you know why you’ve kept going and doing it. Alongside your mother-in-law? That’s a whole other story!
“It doesn’t feel like 10 years, it feels like the first day every day. Constantly re-ignites the fire to stop other families going through what we’ve been through.
*The Pride of Britain Awards will take place on 19th October, before airing on ITV and ITVX from 22nd October. Find out more about the Pride of Britain Awards 2026 HERE
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: mirror.co.uk
