A group from Man Down Cornwall are set to hike up Ben Nevis carrying an 82kg log - to raise awareness and funds for men's mental health support.

On Saturday 14th May, a team of eight men from Cornwall – comprising Josh Chambers, Ross Jackson Hicks, Tom Mason, Jake Preston, Chris Price, Paul Read, Todd Whymark, and Ross Withers will heave a log of hardwood, weighing 82kg, up and down Ben Nevis in Scotland the UK's highest mountain.

Ben Nevis stands at a majestic 4,413ft and this Herculean feat will involve a trek of 10.6 miles on uneven terrain up to the dizzy heights of its summit and back down to its base.

Team members, who live in Falmouth, Truro, and Mevagissey, have been training individually, using strength and stamina programmes, whilst a few group trial runs have been undertaken, with Brown Willy on Bodmin Moor having been used for one of them.

The team aims to complete the challenge in around seven hours, and will be supported by camera crew, Ryan McFall and Sam Breeze, and logistics supremo, Richie Carrington.

This is going to be very challenging, both physically and mentally, but without risk, there is no reward, as Ross Jackson-Hicks explains:  

"The 82kg signifies the number of men who take their own lives every week in the UK. That's 12 a day - an absolutely horrific statistic

"Through this event, we hope to raise not only money to support our work but also awareness around men's mental health here in Cornwall, which has the third-largest suicide rate in the country.

"Our organisation, Man Down, supports local men in their darkest hour. Our main aim has been, and always will be, to reduce male suicide in Cornwall. By talking about it, we want to squash the stigma and end the shame that is attached to men's mental health."

Man Down is a Cornwall-based not-for-profit Community Interest Company that was established by Ross Jackson-Hicks and Brad Osman in 2018.

Its objective is to provide informal peer-support talking groups all over Cornwall for men with mental health concerns.

"We offer men a space to be heard and share their problems by providing meetings throughout the county that are confidential and completely non-judgmental," Ross continued.

"We provide a very informal, safe, and relaxed environment for men of all ages from 18 upwards, who are struggling with any kind of mental health issues. By listening and talking, we show that there is always someone here for you, that you are never alone, and that you can come through whatever difficulties you are facing."

Man Down hosts fortnightly meetings in Bodmin, Bude, Callington, Camborne, Camelford, Falmouth, Hayle, Helston, Launceston, Liskeard, Mevagissey, Mount Hawke, Newquay, Penryn Campus, Penzance/Newlyn, Perranporth, Redruth, Saltash, St Austell, St Stephen, Torpoint, Truro, and Wadebridge. Sessions are free to attend and there is no need to book.

All details can be found on the Man Down Cornwall website and Facebook page.

Ross added:

"We are looking forward to tackling this Ben Nevis log carry challenge and really appreciate everyone's support, especially our event sponsors, May Whetter & Grose estate agents from Fowey who are sponsoring the 82kg log (named Kenny Loggins!) and International Superyacht Coatings from Southampton who are sponsoring our travel to Scotland.

"We aim to raise £20,000 for Man Down to enable us to provide even more support for sons, grandsons, brothers, uncles, nephews, fathers, and grandfathers in Cornwall."

If you are able to make a donation click here.