Student braves 72 laps to get the lads talking
A student from Man Met has completed a half-marathon around a university rugby pitch to raise awareness for men’s mental health.
Will McEvoy, chairman of Manchester Metropolitan University Men’s Rugby Union, ran a total of 72 laps around Platt Lane rugby pitch for Movember, a charity raising awareness of men’s mental health.
Will completed a half-marathon, as part of the university wider campus efforts for the cause in November.
The 21 year old said the goal was to raise awareness and money for men’s mental health and suicide prevention, keeping a connection to a sport that helped him through some “challenging times” by running the distance around his own rugby pitch.
Despite the minus two conditions of the day, Will shared the biggest challenge of them all was the “mental battle of running a continuous 72 laps”. But he got through it with the support of his teammates who came down to cheer him on and even joined in on a few laps.
He highlighted the importance to raise awareness throughout the rugby community in particular: “There is a massive amount of stigma in rugby to just get on with it and grow up.
“I want to eliminate that altogether and make sure all lads know that it is okay to talk about how they feel and to open up.”
Will highlighted the personal significance for him, saying: “I have got a lot of family history with mental health illnesses, so I do it for them and to make sure the lads feel like they can turn to their mates for those things.”
Movember is focuses on ‘breaking stigmas surrounding men’s mental health and encouraging men to speak openly and take control of their health’. The importance of raising awareness is shown in the statistics across the world; one man dies by suicide every minute, with males accounting for 69% of all suicides.
The charity’s fundraising goes toward projects that build support networks for men to better deal with challenges they face.
Will said: “In first year I was in a really dark place and didn’t really have any friends at university. I was commuting from Liverpool, as well as a lot of other reasons leading up to why I was in that dark period.
“Whenever I’m doing these challenges for Movember, trying to raise money and awareness for men’s mental health I always like to think back them moments,
“I’m hoping this run will inspire others to get out there and do their own challenges to raise money and awareness, as it all goes to a good cause.”
He suggested there was a friendly rivalry at Man Met: “In regard to fundraising, there’s a bit of competition between the university, all competing to be the number one fundraising champions.”
He is backing his rugby club all the way saying he would like them to be the “top spot”.
Sporting societies at Man Met have taken part in various Movember fundraising campaigns. Highlights included a North vs South football match from the men’s and women’s football teams, and a ‘bring a boy to training’ session from the cheerleading society.
Tyler McManus, Man Met Movember ambassador, said: “This is what Movember is all about, students stepping up and starting conversations.
“All efforts throughout the university have raised a total of £9,274.”
Will and the rugby club raised £2,330, marking them the highest fundraisers.
So, what’s next for Will? The Manchester marathon in April as his next challenge for charity. He said: “I did it previously two years ago with a dislocated elbow, so this time I’m having a proper crack at it.
“I’ll always take part in Movember for as long as I’m alive, whether that be a physical run or growing a moustache”.
For any future fundraising efforts, donations or support for men’s mental health please see: https://uk.movember.com/about/foundation
Photo credits: Ollie Craig