Rochdale burger boss will carry 8kg weight around wherever her goes for a MONTH in mental health awareness push
08.03.2022 - 18:09
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A Rochdale man is taking on an incredible challenge to raise awareness of men's mental health.
Darren Rushton, 34, who owns the restaurant Heroes Burgers in Rochdale, has 8 kilogrammes' worth of weight attached to his body.
He is walking around with a 5kg kettlebell attached to him, using a 3kg heavy chain. The aim is to show the "huge burden" that poor mental health can be for people who are struggling.
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For the challenge, Darren has to keep the weight attached throughout the day, apart from when he is showering or sleeping.
In doing so, Darren is fundraising and encouraging donations to the mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which spotlights mental health and suicide amongst men.
He is carrying the weight with him until the 2nd of April, which is when he will be hosting a 'Burger Challenge' charity event.
Hosted by Darren, the 'Burger Challenge' invites people to come to Heroes Burgers to eat a 32-ounce burger or donate to show their support.
Darren said these charity challenges are inspired by him witnessing and experiencing ill mental health as a former military man.
The dad-of-two served in London, Germany and Cyprus and did a tour of Afghanistan, before leaving the Army in 2011.
Darren told the M.E.N.: " I used to be in the Army. A few years back, my friends who I served with, committed suicide.
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"I decided I wanted to do something about it. When I left the Army in 2011, I had no help whatsoever.
"There was no support network. Nobody reached out.
"I struggled