A football team set up to help men cope with the grief of baby loss and also improve their mental health has been growing from strength to strength since its formation three years ago.
Peter Gibson set up Sands United FC Larne back in 2019 but had to wait two years before hosting their first training session.
The Covid-19 pandemic stalled any early progress, but now Peter is inviting new members to sign up and become part of the club.
Read more: Lisburn man setting up football team to help men grieve after baby loss
Last week they got delivery of a brand new kit and enjoyed their first photoshoot as a team.
Peter told Belfast Live: "I first became aware of the Sands Charity after our daughter Ruby Elizabeth was stillborn at full term on the November 21, 2014.
"I set up Sands United FC Larne in June 2019 with a Facebook page, just before the pandemic hit. This meant we couldn’t get our first training session until July 7 last year.
"The team is not just for men from Larne but the whole of County Antrim. It is not just a team but a support network for bereaved dads, uncles, brothers or granddads.
"Not only does it help with our fitness but it also helps with our mental health. As men we find it hard to open up about our feelings and being around other people who have all been affected by baby loss helps you know that you are not alone in your suffering and that there are people who understand what you have been though and we are all there to support each other."
Sands United FC offers dads and other bereaved family members the chance to come together through a shared love of football and find a support network where they can feel at ease talking about their grief when they're ready.
Throughout the UK, there are currently 34 Sands United teams, including six in Northern Ireland. There are Sands United teams in Lisburn, Larne, Belfast, Derry, Enniskillen, and Dungannon.
Peter says his club started off "with small numbers" but it wasn't long before more men put their names forward for the team.
He added: "We had our first training session at Larne high School pitches. We started with small numbers but we raised money and were donated money from Spar at the Viking Lodge in Larne.
"With that money we bought and donated a cuddle cot for our community as there’s nothing like that available except in the hospitals. A cuddle cot gives families up to 72 hrs to spend with their child which wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
"In mid February we moved up to the Wellington Rec social club's training pitch. That's where we train every Wednesday night from 7pm.
"Our numbers have grown and just this Wednesday we got our first kit and got pictures as a proper team.
"If anyone else wants to join they can find us on our Facebook page Sands United FC Larne or email us at sufclarne@gmail.com."
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