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 with PTSD. I ended up losing my marriage.
"I turned to drugs. There was nothing. I had no help whatsoever when I left the Army. I struggled.
"It was only through myself, that I got myself straight. I learned to deal with it. I learned to reach out and not hold it in. Too many people suffer in silence."
To put his own twist on the challenge, Darren has increased the intensity of the weights he is carrying.
The burger business-owner explained: "The challenge is supposed to be having a 3kg weight attached to your wrist for seven days. My friend has just finished this challenge. But I'm actually wearing 8 kilogrammes around me: the kettlebell is 5kg and the heavy chain is 3kg.
"And I am doing it until the 2nd of April. The kettlebell represents the huge burden that people carry around with them, mentally. The weight is digging into my shoulder now. It’s uncomfortable and it’s awkward, but it’s alright.
"An 83-year-old woman was in my shop and wanted to feel the weight herself- it nearly tipped her over! People look at me and think ‘why is he wearing that?’ And if they ask me, I can explain and if they want to donate, that’s on them.
"But either way, they will speak about it. It’s a talking point. I’ll probably get some more stares when I go and pick up my son from school!"
Highlighting poor mental health in men is particularly important to Darren.
"I think men have the stigma of ‘manning up’ and staying strong," h e continued. "I know women struggle as well. But there's the whole ‘man of the house’ kind of thing, which can make men feel weak.
"We don’t want people feeling that it’s 'weak' to suffer, or to speak out. I’m a big lad and I’m full of tattoos. If I can speak out, to get rid of the stigma, then so can other people.
"It’s not so much the money I’m bothered about, it’s the message and it’s the awareness- that’s what's most important."
Darren is no stranger to taking on extreme challenges for charity.
Last September, Darren and his friends completed 20,000 steps a day to fundraise for mental health charity Mind.
In the past, they have also done 50 press-ups every morning at all of Rochdale's reservoirs in aid of mental health.
To donate to Darren's fundraiser, or participate in the Burger Challenge, send a message to the Heroes Burgers page on Facebook or visit the Heroes Burgers premises at Cheetham Street, Rochdale, Greater Manchester, OL16 1DL.
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