Weighty matter

World on Kris’s back

A Hamilton man is aiming to highlight the issues surrounding mental health by hiking Ben Nevis wearing a 30kg vest.

Kris Hughes, who himself has experienced mental health issues, will wear the vest to symbolise how he often feels “he has the weight of the world on his shoulders”.

The 27-year-old says he, like others, often suffers in silence and feels like he is being weighed down.

But in a bid to help others who are struggling, he plans to make the climb by also carrying a large globe on his shoulders covered in messages from people struggling with their own mental health.

The hike will be in aid of suicide awareness charity Chris’s House and will take place in late July or early August.

Now Kris is urging others to join him in his hike.

The personal trainer said: “Anyone is welcome to hike alongside me and support and raise further funds.

“At the top we will tear apart the globe and split the weight vest among us to show a problem shared is a problem halved, and that it is ok to open up and ask for help.”

Kris, who trains at the Nuffield Health Centre in East Kilbride, says as he has matured he has learned to open up more about his mental health.

The Cambuslang and Rutherglen Rugby Club player said: “I’ve always been active with my sports; before I played football and now it is more rugby.

“I have struggled with my mental health from an early age at high school, but like most people I just try to get on with it, but as I’ve got older I feel it is more and more important to discuss.

“It would be great if other people wanted to join in on the hike and we haven’t set an exact date as yet, as we are waiting to see what the weather would be like closer to the time.

“If anyone would like to join then they can contact me through social media on my Instagram page ‘The tartan trainer’.

“The more people the better, and we can raise more funds and profile for the charity.”