Ben Brindley is not your average runner. He's very fast, he's been impacted by mental health struggles and he spends hours running with a wheelbarrow. Due to the extreme stresses they face those working in the construction industry are four times more likely to commit suicide and they need support. That's what the Lighthouse, the Construction Charity does and Ben runs with his wheelbarrow to raise funds for them and to raise awareness of the problem. From 5km events to 'Everesting' (175km in 40 hours with 9405m of ascent!!) it's been a busy 18 months, with a world record attempt to come!

Check out Ben's instagram page https://www.instagram.com/brindleyrunner and support him on his Justgiving page https://www.justgiving.com/page/benswackyraces

For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have four channels, one on training support, another on fundraising, a third on runner stories and a fourth on events. If you'd to be the focus on one just let us know using the chat function on https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com

PODCAST NOTES

Keywords wheelbarrow running, mental health awareness, fundraising, charity events, construction industry, Ben Brindley, running challenges, community support, world record attempt, personal stories Summary In this episode, Tim interviews Ben Brindley, a unique runner from Derbyshire who races with a wheelbarrow to raise awareness for mental health in the construction industry. Ben shares his journey from a casual idea to participating in various races, including marathons and challenging climbs, all while advocating for mental health support. He discusses the logistics of racing with a wheelbarrow, the importance of community support, and his fundraising efforts for the Lighthouse Construction Charity. Ben also reveals his plans for a world record attempt and offers advice for others looking to combine running with charitable causes. Takeaways

• Ben Brindley runs races with a wheelbarrow to raise awareness.
• The wheelbarrow symbolises the invisible burdens people carry.
• Ben has completed various challenging races with the wheelbarrow.
• He raises funds and awareness for mental health in construction.
• The Lighthouse Construction Charity supports mental health in the industry.
• Ben's fundraising is a mix of awareness and financial support.
• He engages the community by sharing his journey on social media.
• Ben's world record attempt is for the fastest marathon with a wheelbarrow.
• He emphasises the importance of training with the equipment used in races.
• Ben encourages honesty and authenticity in fundraising efforts.

Titles

• Running with a Purpose: Ben's Wheelbarrow Challenge
• Breaking Barriers: Mental Health Awareness through Running

Sound Bites

• "I run many races with a wheelbarrow."
• "The barrow represents the invisible load."
• "I've done silly things with a wheelbarrow."
• "I take people on the journey with me."
• "Be honest about who you are."

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ben's Journey 02:59 The Wheelbarrow Challenge Begins 05:52 Race Logistics and Safety 08:52 Mental Health Awareness and Fundraising 12:11 The Lighthouse Construction Charity 14:58 Fundraising Strategies and Community Engagement 18:09 World Record Attempt Plans 20:56 Challenges and Triumphs in Running 24:04 Advice for Aspiring Fundraisers