London, UK – Jan 23rd 2012 - Consumer engagement specialists, TE Media (a Telecom Express Group company), have been enlisted to help Depression Alliance raise money and break the stigma attached to depression with ex England striker, Stan Collymore. The Text STAN campaign will help to fund a new service that connects people who are suffering from depression.

TE Media is running the SMS donation service behind the campaign, which enables people to donate £5 to the charity by texting STAN to 70555. Supporters are also given the chance to enter a prize draw for the chance to win one of many prizes donated by Collymore’s industry contacts, including a gold disk from the Editors, tickets and hotel to the PFA awards in London, Soccer AM audience tickets, Arsenal club seats and worn football shirts from Seedorf, Rooney, Defoe and Evra. Full details of the prizes can be found at www.depressionalliance.org
Depression Alliance logo
Depression Alliance logo

Collymore recently spoke publicly with his own fight against depression, revealing to his fans on Twitter how he has struggled with the illness. Collymore decided to work with Depression Alliance to help raise awareness of the condition, in a bid to help save lives by creating a network of sufferers who can connect with one another and share experiences, to stop the feeling of loneliness and isolation that people, including Collymore himself, so often feel with depression.

Emer O’Neill, Chief Executive of Depression Alliance says: "Having a network of others who have “been there” is an invaluable source of support. Just being able to email, talk or meet other people who have depression can be invaluable. The SMS donation service from TE Media has made it simple and fun for supporters to donate."

Rob Ellis, Managing Director of Telecom Express commented: “We’re delighted to have been approached by Depression Alliance to run the Text STAN campaign with Stan Collymore. We work with a number of other charities including Comic Relief, Sports Relief and The Disasters Emergency Committee and so are proud that we can now assist with another worthy cause; helping those who suffer with depression.”