A PERSONAL trainer is hoping to raise awareness about mental health when he takes on a 24-hour fitness fundraising challenge later this month.
Nick Carpenter plans to run 1.8km and complete 18 burpees and 18 slam ball throws – which involve hurling a medicine ball – on the hour, every hour, for 24 hours on 21 January in honour of his friend James Bailey.
He completed a similar challenge last year and raised over £6,000 for mental-health support group LINC Community.
Mr Carpenter will again be joined by fellow Islander Kurt Dingle, who will complete the challenge from his home in Australia.
The pair have not yet selected a charity to benefit, but Mr Carpenter, who often uses his platform as a personal trainer to promote issues around mental health, hopes to raise more money than last year.
‘Someone recently asked me what was the most meaningful thing I have ever done and, upon reflection, I realised last year’s challenge was exactly that. So I have decided to repeat the challenge and raise some more money and awareness for mental health,’ he said.
‘We have stuck with the 18 theme again because each day 18 people take their own lives in the UK. The challenge also aims to raise awareness and show people that they should not be afraid to speak up and there is help out there for them,’ he added.
Mr Carpenter said he decided to add in the extra 18 slam ball throws to make the challenge harder.
By the end, the pair will have run the equivalent distance of a marathon and completed 432 burpees and 432 slam ball throws.
‘Last year was really difficult and this added element will only make it tougher. There is something about putting yourself in a challenging mental head space that really resonates with me and I hope people can come together to show support and raise some money throughout the challenge.
‘We haven’t chosen a charity yet but it will definitely be a local organisation that supports mental health. We have set an initial target of £2,000 but it would be amazing if we could raise more money than last year. If we do, I would like to donate the money to multiple charities,’ he added.
– To donate visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/nicholas-carpenter
