Whitehead based community organisation, Music and Mind, are kicking off their upcoming Healthy Body Healthy Mind Week with an ambitious fundraiser in aid of Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke (NICHS).
A 24-hour fitness challenge will take place at Whitehead Community Centre on Friday 8th May starting at 6pm and running right through until 6pm the following day. Participants of all ages and abilities are encouraged to come along and take part in the event to help raise vitals funds for NICHS as organiser, Noel McKee, explains; “We have organised this fundraiser in aid of NICHS to kick start our Healthy Body Healthy Mind Week as there are few families in Northern Ireland that haven’t been affected by a chest, heart or stroke related illness. Also, these aren’t illnesses that only affect older people, anyone of any age can be affected so it’s important to raise awareness of these conditions as well as funds so NICHS can continue on with their vital care, prevention and research work. It’s such a great, relevant charity.”
Talking about the 24-hour challenge Noel says; “The challenge will have a static bike, a rowing machine and a treadmill and we are looking for volunteers to take on one-hour slots. A slot costs £10 and all proceeds will go to Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke. We have 72 slots to fill so we are calling on the great local community of Whitehead to come along and join the fun!”
“You can come and do one hours exercise; you can come and do two. You can bring your friends, your partner, your family. You can fill the three bits of equipment with your family or friends and do it together. You can do one slot in the evening and another the next afternoon. You can walk on the treadmill; you can sit and have a chat on the static cycle. You don't have to be super fit, just come along and try something different. It will be a relaxed, fun atmosphere, it’s just about coming together and doing what you can and raising awareness and funds for a great cause. We will be finishing up at 6pm on the Saturday and would encourage everyone who takes part to be there at the finale to cheer on the last participants and celebrate everyone’s achievements.”
The event has another exciting element as local man, Jason Greenwood, will be attempting a 24 hour rowing challenge and is hoping to achieve a British or Irish distance record within his age group (50-59 years old). Explaining his motivation behind this monumental challenge Jason says; “I have been rowing for most of my adult life, but in 2021 I became seriously ill with pneumonia and life-threatening blood clots in both lungs, linked to COVID. Thankfully, I recovered but got another blood clot in my leg in early 2025. Determined to look after my health, I rebuilt my fitness through long indoor rowing sessions. That progress led me to gain an Irish record for rowing 100km and that got me thinking about taking on an even bigger challenge.”
“I have been training hard- I recently rowed through the night to get a feeling for what it will be like on the day. I rowed for 14 hours from 6pm to 8am and I didn't find it too bad. I listened to a podcast and an audiobook, and friend came and checked up on me in the early hours of the morning.”
“My strategy for the day will be to row for 10 kilometres then take a few minutes break, get some food and water and get back on again. The first few hours will probably be the hardest as it will feel like there is still so far to go but once I get into a rhythm it will be easier. Also, the experience on the day will be different to my training as the other fitness challenge participants will be there. There will be camaraderie and especially during the night, into the morning hours, I think that will really help keep me going if things get tough. Members of Whitehead Costal Rowing club are planning on coming down to support me too which will be great.”
“I’ll get into the zone and get through it. The most difficult thing will be the stiffness from being in that position for a long period of time. By the end I’ll doubt I’ll be able to stand up straight, but it will be worth it. Five years on from struggling to breathe simply taking on this challenge in support of Northern Ireland Chest Heart & Stroke feels like a victory. For me, rowing isn’t about winning or losing - it’s about giving your all.”
Giving your all is a sentiment Jason is keen to highlight to others thinking about taking part in the 24-hour fitness challenge or doing more exercise in general. “I didn’t set out to do this. I decided after last summer, that I was going to train more sensibly and try and lose some weight. I started to feel much healthier and it was only then that I started to think about a challenge like this. I made changes to my lifestyle primarily for my physical and mental health and anyone can do that.”
“It also doesn’t matter what age you are or even if you have, or have had, health issues like me. We can all make tweaks to our lifestyles and do things to support our health. Simple and small changes can make all the difference. I hope the challenge highlights that and maybe inspires others to take steps towards supporting their own health and wellbeing more. The first step to that could be volunteering for a slot at the fitness challenge.”
Noel adds; “We are all behind Jason as he takes on this phenomenal feat and we would love to have all the fitness challenge slots filled to keep him company throughout the duration. Not everybody needs to be going to the lengths Jason is but everyone’s contribution to the challenge is important and needed and by taking part you will be doing something physically beneficial in the moment but hopefully also into the future. Everyone will be so welcome, any age, any fitness level, so please sign up for a slot and let’s make this an event to remember.”
Valerie Saunders, NICHS Community Fundraiser, says; “We are so grateful to Noel, and everyone involved with Music and Mind for organising this fantastic event and continuing to support NICHS. Massive thanks also to Jason for taking on his extraordinary rowing challenge.”
“As Noel highlighted, so many people are affected by chest, heart and stroke conditions. Approximately 600,000 people across Northern Ireland are living with such illnesses but as almost 90% of our income comes from public donations, fundraising efforts like this are vital to the work we do and what we can achieve. We wish all the participants and volunteers the very best for the event.”
If you would like to book a slot at the challenge, please visit
https://www.picktime.com/home/24hrfitnesschallenge If you would like to donate to Jason’s fundraiser you can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/page/jason-greenwood
