An Irish soldier from Laois has helped play a big part in raising thousands of Euro for Movember while also bravely shining a light on the importance of mental health especially among young men like himself who have lost their lives to suicide.
Corporal Jonathan Tuft from Abbeyleix has completed extraordinary to raise funds under the Frontline Mo-Bros group of emergency and security services worker who joined forces to fundraise for Movember.
Having had to delay due to Covid-19 restrictions, on December 6 he set off from the Curragh camp with the aim of walking 55km’s with 55 pounds (24kg) in his backpack starting from the Curragh camp and finishing in his home time of Abbeyleix. He did, he says it in memory of all the dads, brothers, sons and soldiers who have sadly passed and for men's mental health!
"Even though I grow an awful moustache this will be my third year taking part in Movember having raised €1,676 over the last two years," he said on his Facebook appeal page.
"COVID is affecting everyone’s mental health and even though it was good to see an increase in mental health services in the budget it’s still important to help in any little way we can...Men are dying far too young and before their time, let’s try to make a difference here," he said in his appeal.
"So some of you may be wondering why it is I’m putting myself through all this hardship and carrying the equivalent of a male bulldog, a small bag of coal or €1,000 in 20c coins. In recent years two school friends and a fellow soldier from my own unit made the tragic decision to take their own lives," he said.
The young Abbeyleix man set off for the Mechanised Infantry Company HQ in the Curragh at at 3 am on December 6. His route took him through Kildare town, Monasterevin, Ballybrittas, Emo, The Heath, Portlaoise, Ballyroan finishing at the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel 55kms and around 12 hours later at about 4 pm.
"Home sweet home," was the message he posted when he arrived back home in Abbeyleix after 55km
By December 10, with four days left on his fundraising appeal, Jonathan's efforts were enough to see a phenomenal
€7,120 raised of €5,500 goal he set on his Facebook donate page.
Jonathan's efforts helped to double the money raised by the Frontline Mo-Bros this November compared to 2019. By December 10 the total had exceeded €64,000 with funds still coming in.
The aim of the Frontline Mo-Bros is to bring all members of the frontline, voluntary and security services together and help in the fight against men's cancers and to bring support and awareness of men's mental health. The group won the 2016 International Team of Movember award.
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