An Auchinleck man has set himself the challenge of completing 10 marathons in 10 days, all for a good cause.

Jordan Drummond, 24, who manages In Da Hut gym in Highouse Industrial Estate is raising money for the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) by taking on the running mission.

He told the Chronicle: “Seeing how big an impact fitness has on mental health is incredible.

“During what’s been happening in the current circumstances, you can see it’s having an even bigger impact.”

Jordan feels strongly about the important of keeping healthy in part because he has a history of poor mental health in his family.

He said: “I feel I’ve got myself in a good position mentally, but I feel sorry for all the vulnerable people that are suffering who are stuck in the house.

“The stuff SAMH are doing now is brilliant.”

SAMH has set up a hub of information and guidance about looking after mental health as the coronavirus developments continue.

Susan Williams, community fundraising manager at SAMH said: “We’re delighted that Jordan has taken on this extraordinary challenge to raise funds for Scotland’s mental health, especially in these difficult times. From everyone at SAMH, a huge thank you and the very best of luck.”

Jordan decided to set himself what he calls “an almost impossible challenge” in order to raise awareness and support for a cause close to his heart.

His experiences of anxiety and depression in his family have shown him firsthand the impact mental health issues can have but also how positive exercise can be.

He said: “Exercise can be a primary release if you’re feeling anxious. Going for a run or a walk to clear your head can make you feel like a different person.”

Jordan, who has been operating the Auchinleck gym with his dad for five years, said running is not really his strong-suit.

Instead he normally focusses on strength and conditioning, so the marathon challenge is going to be particularly tough.

He is training to get ready for the task which will see him attempt to run over 260 miles on roads around Auchinleck.

He is aiming to start on June 1, and hopes there will have been an easing in the lockdown measures so doing the miles on the back roads shouldn’t be a problem.

Jordan said: “In running, there is a thing called the wall. You can be in your comfort zone, then you get to a place and you think you can’t do this anymore.

“People have that same feeling day in day out with mental health.

“So for me, there will be point where I think I can’t do it anymore.

“But if I can reassure myself that I’ve got this, then I hope I can relate to others in a

similar mental health situation that they can make it through too.”

To donate to Jordan’s fundraiser visit justgiving.com/fundraising/jordan-drummond.

More information is available at SAMH’s website samh.org.uk.

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