Jay to pull a 65kg tyre over the Foyle Bridge to raise money for charity

Jay Kiernan, who is originally from Manchester but has lived in Derry for the last four years, decided to pull his own body weight in a tyre to represent the baggage many people with mental health or addiction issues carry round with them every day.

The event, which will take place next month, is to raise money for ARC Fitness, a group with uses exercise to aid in the recovery of people with addictions, and Aware NI, which supports people with mental health issues.

Jay had originally set himself a target of raising £1,000 for the charities, but with weeks to go until the event he has already smashed the target and now hopes to raise as much as possible.

“I originally thought about doing this a year ago, but it never really came off. When I mentioned it to a friend he said I couldn’t do it and that just really spurred me on.”

The personal trainer has been training hard for the event and said the tyre will be painted with words like drugs, alcohol, depression and anxiety.

“The tyre will represent all the things some people carry around every day.”

Jay decided to support ARC as he understands how fitness can help people with not just their physical health, but their mental health and for those with addictions gaining control.

“It is something that needs to be done more. I followed ARC and Gary Rutherford, who set it up, on social media because I think it is just brilliant what he is doing. It is a fresh new approach and I really want to support them.

“Aware NI are doing fantastic work supporting people with mental health issues.”

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/jay-kiernan-tyre-drag