A WEST CUMBRIAN festival founder has spoken out about his battles with mental health issues - announcing he has stood down from his role at Whitehaven Alive after suffering with depression in recent months.

The founder of west Cumbria’s biggest festival, Oliver Hodgson, announced he is stepping down today, January 23, with immediate effect as he looks to focus on his family following a recent silent battle with mental health issues, caused in part due to the stress of the festival.

In 2023, over 35,000 people attended Whitehaven Alive to watch the live acts such as Sophie Ellis Bextor, Jake Bugg and Tinie Tempah perform, shop the stalls, catch the Red Arrows fly-by or attend the fun-fair.

However, the festival has made 'significant losses' since it was founded in 2022, he said, with none of the directors receiving any financial gain.

Mr Hodgson said: “I can confirm that I have today, January 23, resigned as a director from Alive Entertainment Group Ltd, producers of the Whitehaven Alive festival with immediate effect.

“Protecting and safeguarding my health and family is my utmost priority, and that is one of the key considerations my resignation is based on. I will openly admit to recently suffering severely from mental ill health resulting in intrusive thoughts and becoming suicidally depressed.

“I have often spoken publicly about my struggles with my mental health and currently with a personal private health struggles and ongoing family issues as well as the strain of the festival, I have been suffering silently in a dark place that I wouldn’t wish upon anyone ever.

“This festival has been bootstrapped from day one with the support of an incredible team made up mainly of volunteers and a selection of supportive partner organisations and stakeholders. There’s a small hidden army of local people who have worked and continue to work on the festival to produce something the area so richly deserves.

“Contrary to what some may think and to set the record straight, I have had zero financial gain from the festival nor has any of our current or previous directors. Significant losses have been made and it’s been kept going by personal financial injections and personal guarantors.

“Over the last couple of years, we have staged two incredible September festivals, and it has become a victim of its own success. Across both weekends we brought A-list artists, major media attention for the harbour and local businesses, generated over £2million for the local economy, and in 2023 welcomed 35,000 attendees to our town delivering exceptional social value and economic regeneration.

“I’d like to wish Liz and her team the very best in moving forward with the festival and the incredible brand and platform we have all built up. Whitehaven truly deserves this festival; everyone should be behind it and the team.

“I will be focusing on improving my health with the support of my family, friends, and medical professionals, and focusing on my marketing agency. I will be making no further comment in relation to the festival itself or the festival company at this time.”