Whitworth dad running 48-hour David Goggins challenge to raise funds for Samaritans

A Whitworth dad-of-two is running a 48-hour David Goggins challenge on World Suicide Awareness Day (Friday 10 September) to raise funds for the Samaritans.

The cause is a personal one for Chris Newall, 41, who will be running eight miles every four hours for 48 hours, as he lost his dad, Garry, 64, to suicide in 2017.

Chris, who has two little boys, Isaac and Jonah, with wife Alison, told Rochdale Online that he found his father’s death “a shock” and also had similar thoughts of ending his own life.

After months of counselling, Chris managed to turn his life around before turning to gambling to hide his feelings.

 

 

He said: “I had counselling sessions for months to deal with it [my father’s death]. The counselling helped me turn my life around and helped, but I turned to gambling which didn’t end in a good way.

“Lots of debt later and a very understanding wife and family, I got back on track. Although I felt like the world was a bit more normal, I felt like something was missing, like I needed to do something.”

Chris, who works at the Whitworth Co-operative, then took up running about 18 months ago which he says he has now become 'addicted' to.

“I got my fitness to a level where I really wanted to challenge myself and that’s where the fundraising comes in. Both my dad and I have suffered with our mental health to some degree, so I decided to undertake a David Goggins challenge and raise money for the Samaritans.”

The 4x4x48 challenge was created by retired Navy Seal and ultrarunner David Goggins – running four miles every four hours in 48 hours (4x4x48).

 

 

Chris will be running the challenge in and around Whitworth starting from the Bar Terrace at 10am on Friday 10 September before finishing at 10am on Sunday morning.

He added: “The community have already got behind me with sponsors. I just wanted to share a little bit of my story, why I’m doing it and hopefully help people along the way who find it hard to talk during the dark times.”

To donate, please visit:

• www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-newall3

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Help and support

As many as one in four adults and one in eight young people will experience a mental health problem.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here for you – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.