The best mate of a young dad whose death shocked the Wishaw community will take on a punishing endurance challenge in his memory.
Ryan McConnell, 27, came up with the idea of a 24-hour fitness challenge to raise money for two worthy causes.
He was motivated to do something to help others after Graham Fraser, a close friend for around 10 years, was found dead at the end of June.
“Graham’s death has been a shock to everybody that knew him,” Ryan admitted.
“I’m not a gym regular, I don’t really do much fitness work at all so it will be a challenge and a long shift.
“Initially, I thought about 12 hours but I spoke to a few people who I thought would maybe get involved and they said, ‘We’ll go for the 24’, so I thought ‘why not?’”
Ryan, from Muirhouse in Motherwell, has teamed up with Wishaw kickboxer Sam Allan, 28, who offered to host the event at his Rivals Gym in the town.
Sam said: “Ryan isn’t usually in the gym to be fair so he will probably be like a burst couch.
“Hats off to him for wanting to do it.
“We’ll probably have 24 classes with different instructors, everything from dance to kickboxing.
“Hopefully as many people as possible will join Ryan for one or two classes but he will be there for every class throughout the 24 hours.
“There’s so much negativity just now and people losing their lives in this area, it’s devastating.
“Something needs to be done to show these young guys that it’s going to be alright, that they are just going through a bad moment in life and it’s not a forever thing.”
Ryan added: “I think I’ll definitely struggle with it but I’ll have Sam and others there to help me.
“I’ll be there for the 24 hours and will do a whole range of classes including yoga, boxing, clubercise.”
Proceeds will go to two local causes with similar aims – suicide prevention charity Chris’s House, and Why? – The Graham Fraser Foundation.
The event will start on Friday, September 27 at Rivals Gym, 94 Main Street, and finish at the same time the following day.
You can make a donation at: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/24hourchallenge
