A top bloke doing top things
Legend of the week goes to the UK man who managed to carry an entire fridge up Mount Snowdon in order to raise money for charity. Simply inspiring stuff.
Michael Copeland from Stafford has managed to raise over £4,000 for mental health charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) by carrying a fridge up Snowdon – the biggest mountain in Wales, third-biggest in Britain and the highest point in the UK, outside of Scotland.
The ex-serviceman completed the incredible feat in just five hours, keeping up a “good pace” and described the moment he reached the peak as overwhelming. “When I got to the top… I just broke down. I fell to one knee and shed a few tears and everyone was cheering and clapping”, he told BBC Radio Stoke.
He went on to say “it was amazing the amount of people that came out and supported”, thanking them for their support on the day and for helping him raise over 90 per cent of his total £4,500 target already.
Credit: Michael Copeland/BBC – The moment he reached the summit.
Copeland, a 37-year-old bodybuilder who only began hiking about a year ago, says that he used the gym and physical exercise to help with his own mental health, explaining that the choice of carrying a fridge up Snowdon represented the “burden mental health can have on us”.
He went on add: “For me, the gym and being outdoors is just a massive release and I kind of want to share that with people to make people realise there are things you can do yourself to help yourself mentally.”
Having practised by hiking up the likes of Cannock Chase, Copeland had been building towards this all year; you can help him reach his goal by donating to his JustGiving fundraiser.
We here at JOE have been honoured to be able to work with CALM on many occasions in recent years. Take a look at our recent video on suicide awareness and the importance of letting people know they’re not alone.
TW: Suicide.
“I wish I was there to intercept that last thought.”
Relatives of people who took their own lives reflect on the last photo taken of their loved ones.#UnitedAgainstSuicide
w/ @thecalmzone pic.twitter.com/E6urEHqGnD
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) June 22, 2022
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health head to thecalmzone.net for practical tips and advice. You can also talk to Samaritans 24/7 by calling 116 123 for free or visiting the Samaritans website. Alternatively, you can find more information and advice on the NHS website.
Related links:
- The Last Photo: Exhibition highlights how devastatingly little we know about spotting someone who is suicidal
- ‘I’m meant to be dead’: Woman’s hunt for hero who saved her moments before train hit
- 10 easy men’s health checks every bloke should get done ASAP
Topics:
CALM,Campaign Against Living Miserably,Charity,Fridge,Fundraising,Heroes,Hiking,incredible feats,Life,men's mental health,Mental Health,Michael Copeland,SnowdonRELATED ARTICLES
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