I joined members of Burnley FC Supporters Groups this morning to welcome the walkers on today’s leg of The Big Step, raising awareness of the problems from the link between football gambling.

Gambling with Lives was set up by families of young men who have taken their own lives because of a gambling addiction.

The walk is being led by James who is a recovering gambling addict.

And the walker far top right on the pic taken inside (with the specs) is called Tom Heaton.

Just to add, they left for Ewood and I came home.

"And the walker far top right on the pic taken inside (with the specs) is called Tom Heaton. "

You can't fool us, Tom Heaton indeed, we all know it's the famous Chris Evans.

On a more serious note well done to everyone involved in this, especially James and all the families who have lost loved ones as a result of this horrible addiction.

The club should've shown how they are against gambling by giving them all a free shirt from either last year or next season's new kit...

beddie wrote:On a more serious note well done to everyone involved in this, especially James and all the families who have lost loved ones as a result of this horrible addiction.

I’ve never been a gambler so it’s not always easy to see the problem but it came through loud and clear listening to some of these people this morning.

ClaretTony wrote:I’ve never been a gambler so it’s not always easy to see the problem but it came through loud and clear listening to some of these people this morning.

. wishes more people took the opportunity to listen to the stories these people have.

Surely the best place to take the pic would have been on the pitch in front of the Ladbrokes stand?

It still amazes and annoys me when people say that folk like those in the pic "have a choice".........they haven't.
Thankfully, those guys seem to have come through it.

evensteadiereddie wrote:It still amazes and annoys me when people say that folk like those in the pic "have a choice".........they haven't.
Thankfully, those guys seem to have come through it.

One of those lads really was on the brink. The gambling had taken over his life and came close to ending it. He’s turning things round and doing this is really helping him.

Well done to you and the Supporters' groups for making them welcome.
UTC

Always tempting to add a " Had a fiver they wouldn't complete it " quip to make light of it , we deflect things
and issues with a joke .. I know at least half a dozen lads who have serious issues and a couple of them have no
idea how deep they are in .. One lad i know lost his wife,kids and house through gambling and he still hasn't realised
he has a massive problem ..

Seen a few on Accy Rd about 1pm, well done.

gc14 wrote:Always tempting to add a " Had a fiver they wouldn't complete it " quip to make light of it , we deflect things
and issues with a joke .. I know at least half a dozen lads who have serious issues and a couple of them have no
idea how deep they are in .. One lad i know lost his wife,kids and house through gambling and he still hasn't realised
he has a massive problem ..

The one plus about James on this walk is the fact that he actually did realise he had a massive problem and he’s now working hard to fight it. He’s so full of life and determined but he can’t afford a slip.

Sadly there are so many who just can’t see they have a problem.

They have some good pick-ups which sadly overshadows the outlays they put on .. A team or a horse letting them
down for a massive win actually feels like a victory for them sometimes .. If such a team hadn't scored late on i would
of won x amount and chasing losses is fatal .. so glad James has seen the light Tony .. it can be an enjoyable hobby
but you can only bet what you don't mind mind losing ..

Brilliant!

People know my views: the sooner it’s out of the game, the better. It’s vermin, trash, cheap. We don’t need it and it can cause serious harm, despite what many think.

Well done to all involved.

I'd sooner spend £200 with a previous sponsor and walk away with a coffee table to show for it.

They finally made it to Preston last night at 9:45.

Today is the fourth and last day for them. They are at Bolton and then finally Man U.

I couldn't support jdrobbo's views more. It's not just the one individual who suffers but also the one who loves him/her most. Whether its nature or nurture, or an illness that they can't prevent, or the consequence of a series of bad decisions or bad experiences, its way beyond "just pull yourself together." Dealing with a serious gambling addiction is beyond the individual alone, and needs a strong support mechanism as well as brutal honesty. That's why AA works for many. I never thought I would recommend anything by Russell Brand but his book Recovery is well worth reading.

i think its defintely worse since going online and then every betting company throwing it in your face for sports game, tv advert online advert etc.

I havent bothered for nearly three years now and i can tell you its a lot better without it.