This World Mental Health Day we are calling on you to talk about mental health and show support for the wellbeing of veterans and soldiers by taking on the Medicine Ball Challenge.
Set up by Andy Unwin and Andy Perkins, a soldier and former soldier, who had both seen their loved ones struggle, the Medicine Ball Challenge is about pushing your limits and opening up conversations about mental health. A 3kg Medicine Ball is chained to your wrist for the seven days of the challenge, symbolising the invisible burden of mental health which many of us carry.
Whether you are at home, work or in your community, it’s a chance to get people talking. All the money raised goes towards the Army Benevolent Fund, here for soldiers, veterans and their families in times of hardship and need, and Combat Stress, the leading veteran mental health charity.
Over 360 people have taken on the Challenge since it began in 2018, including Corporal Natalya Platanova, a member of Rob Rinder’s team who took on the gruelling Marathon Des Sables earlier this year. In 2022, for the Medicine Ball Challenge, Natalya raised over £10,000 after walking 114 miles with a 3kg weight cuffed to her wrist. And this summer, our ABF colleagues in Cyprus have taken their medicine ball all over the island, involving staff from Sodexo, veterans and expats as well as participants from 1 RIFLES and 1 PWRR.
Kate Geddes, Chair of ABF Cyprus, said: “Having been close to taking my own life, I understand how a simple conversation or a smile can really change someone’s perspective, and it might just be the thing that saves a life. Team Cyprus has raised £2,585 so far but the ball is still out there and the donations keep coming in.”
Thanks to the ABF Cyprus team, Natalya and to everyone who has taken on the Medicine Ball Challenge so far. If you would like to join them, visit the website here.