Feel Good Fest is back to raise money in memory of Wellingborough man

Feel Good Fest is back for another year to raise more awareness and funds in memory of a Wellingborough man who struggled with his mental health.

Eugene Parbery of Wellingborough battled with his mental health for several years and his family was heartbroken when it got too much for him on Christmas Eve 2019 when he was just 36.

His cousin Tom Deacon of Kettering wanted to do something in Eugene's memory and planned to hold a charity event with live music and entertainment last May.

Sadly Covid-19 meant the event had to be cancelled but Tom still held the festival online, with the virtual event raising £1,200 for mental health charity Mind.

Tom is all set to repeat the fundraiser this year on Sunday, May 30, online once again, but then he is hoping to return next year with the third event being as he had originally planned with three live music stages and lots of fun for all the family.

Tom told the Northants Telegraph: "It will be pretty much the same as last year, we are on from 11am to 11pm.

"We have got a few of the same DJs from last year and got a few new ones joining us this year.

"All the money is going to Mind in memory of my cousin Eugene.

"We are hoping to raise more than last year.

"Last year went really well, it was quite an emotional day and we got a lot of views and raised over £1,200.

"Eugene's family were so happy that we could help people.

"In my eyes, if it just went towards stopping one person taking their own life then I have done my job.

"Every year we are hoping to build it bigger and better."

Tom says this sort of event is just what Eugene would have loved, adding: "He loved going to raves and stuff and any excuse for a night out, he would have jumped at the chance."

While Eugene is the inspiration behind Feel Good Fest, Tom feels mental health is such an important issue for so many people, with lockdown highlighting the need for support even more.

He said: "We want to get it out there that mental health is a thing and it's ok not to be ok.

"Mental health is a massive issue."

Tom is really looking forward to this year's event and hopes it will be well supported again.

He said: "With the restrictions lifting, we are hoping that people can meet in their gardens and have a mini festival."

And he added: "I am really excited about this one because it's the last time we are going to do it behind closed doors.

"And then it's going to be outdoors for as long as I can do it."

A friend of Tom's is producing some Feel Good Fest stickers to go on the back of cars which they are hoping to run a competition with.

They are looking for a business to donate an iPad or similar prize and for a donation of £5 for the sticker, any stickers spotted by the organisers on people's cars will be entered into a draw to win the prize.

If your business would like to get involved with this or would be interested in making a donation towards some advertising during the day, email [email protected].

Eugene, who worked as a courier driver at DPD in Raunds and lived in Wellingborough, loved his music and loved to rave so anyone who wants to support Tom's fundraiser inspired by Eugene can find out more about Feel Good Fest 2021 by clicking here.

You can also search for @feel_fest on Twitter or @feelgoodfest on Instagram.

To read more about Eugene and his family's desire to raise awareness of mental health, click here.

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