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Pals Take Part In 'Humiliating' Challenges To Raise Money For Charity

Pals Take Part In 'Humiliating' Challenges To Raise Money For Charity

The friends have ran a mile in mankinis and had their legs waxed all in the name of charity

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

A group of eight pals are 'humiliating themselves' with a series of challenges - including waxing their legs and running a mile in a mankini - all in the name of charity.

University students Jack Mustill, Jordan Cowan, Ben Kelly and their fellow housemates have taken on the embarrassing tasks to raise money for mental health charity MIND.

The eight friends, who all attend Nottingham Trent University, were on placement years during the first lockdown and said they struggled with not being able to socialise together as usual.

They say their group chat offered them a 'lifeline of support and banter' and after reuniting in their student house decided they wanted to do something for charity.

What started out as a typical Movember challenge snowballed and now the friends are taking part in all manner of bizarre challenges.

Jack and Jordan waxed their legs, filming the painful event for us all to enjoy, while Ben, Charlie Bell and Jack Goodhand ran a mile in the chilly November air wearing nothing but mankinis.

Kennedy News and Media

Ben, who is originally from Tring, said: "Lockdown without my flatmates was really tough, especially when you're working from home.

"It's just a bit s*** after a day's work you'd normally be going to the pub or having a bit of social interaction.

"As a house of eight we are quite a social group so that's why we struggled with it so much. Having that group chat there to help us [was great] because we were all separated at that point.

"A few of us have either had someone who has experienced [depression or suicide] or had someone close to us experience it, which makes us want to do it more.

"Before lockdown happened, I had a breakup with my girlfriend, and going into lockdown I felt s***.

Kennedy News and Media

"Having low moods and feeling anxious and stressed, which as an outgoing person I wasn't really familiar with, having that support network of my friends and family picking me up, I felt so much better for that.

"Even if we just help one person [it will be worth it]. As young men we are willing to say: sometimes you have a s*** day and sometimes you feel a bit low, stressed and anxious, but it doesn't mean you need to sit on that.

"Speak out about it and you'll feel so much better."

The lads set up a GoFundMe hoping to raise £1,000 and were surprised to see themselves hit their target in just 48-hours with more than £1,900 ($2,500) raised at the time of writing. They're now asking people to suggest challenges for them, adding there's 'not much' they won't do.

Kennedy News and Media

As well as cash, the friends are also hoping that the challenges can raise awareness of those struggling with their mental health.

Ben added: "I'm lucky to have seven of my closest mates around me now. If I feel down, I tell them and we support each other.

"Some people don't have that and that's why we are referring people who don't have that to use those helplines such as MIND and the Samaritans.

"It never got to that point for any of us, but having those low moods and feeling stressed, we felt that opening up to your mates should be a normal thing and it shouldn't be taboo.

"Being male, sometimes you feel like you can't show certain emotions but no, it's fine and you can. That's what we're trying to get across with our fundraiser."

You can donate to the group's page here.

Featured Image Credit: Kennedy News and Media

Topics: LADness, Charity, UK