New Maker Yards resident Jared Berndt, a 21-year-old personal trainer and model, is set to attempt an epic fitness challenge that will see him burn 2,032 calories in under three hours to raise money for mental health charity Mind in Salford.
Jared, who has been training at his home in Middlewood Locks’ New Maker Yards, will shred the calories by taking to the assault bike – a devilish piece of equipment often used by Crossfit competition athletes.
After seeing the impact the pandemic has had on the mental health of those around him, Jared set about creating a challenge that would help him raise money and represent the hard work of the local charity. The 2,032 calories and the £2,032 he hopes to raise represent the amount of hours Mind in Salford helplines spent helping save lives in lockdown last year.
He’ll be taking up the challenge on 21 March 2021 at 9am outdoors in Get Living’s New Maker Yards neighbourhood, with socially distanced support from a friend to ensure his wellbeing is looked after.
Even for those who have a high level of fitness, the assault bike requires huge stamina and endurance to keep going at pace.
To encourage donations and show their support for Jared, Mind in Salford has offered to gift the first five people who make a donation over £15 with a branded t-shirt. On Instagram New Maker Yards and Jared are running a prize draw for those who share screenshots of their donations to win 1:1 personal training sessions with Jared in the neighbourhood.*
Jared said: “My main passion in life is supporting my clients to achieve their own fitness goals, but every year I also set myself a personal challenge to really focus the mind and body.
“I’ve always tried to channel that energy and determination towards a positive cause, so when I learnt about the work of Mind In Salford through Get Living’s partnership at New Maker Yards, where I live and work, I wanted to use the opportunity to fundraise for the mental health charity.
“The last year has shone a light on the relationship between our physical and mental health. I’m so grateful that I’ve been able to continue my work at New Maker Yards, training clients one-to-one in the open-air car park in a Covid-secure way. For many, I’m the only face-to-face interaction they have all week. We keep each other going.
“I’m taking on this challenge for my clients, friends and family who have suffered with mental health issues before and during Covid. Organisations and charities like Mind in Salford are the reason why many of the closest people in my life are still here today.
“The aim is to raise £2,032, representing the 2,032 hours that Mind in Salford’s helpline was open last year providing support to the local community. The 2,032 challenge will be to burn 2,032 calories on my assault air bike in under 2 hours and 32 minutes. Lockdown 3.0 has given me an opportunity to train hard, and I’m currently averaging at 800 calories an hour with the longest time on the bike being 1hr 30mins. To meet this target I’ll need to burn around 13 calories per minute. It’s going to be tight but anyone that knows me knows I’m as stubborn as well as driven so won’t give up until I see 2,032 flash up on my tracker!”
Kim Quickfall, General Manager at New Maker Yards, said: “We’re encouraging all of our residents to get behind Jared’s attempt and raise funds for Mind in Salford which has been our nominated charity for the last year. The lockdown has truly shown how valuable mental health services are, and their work is more vital now than ever.”
New Maker Yards is a Get Living neighbourhood within Middlewood Locks, a canalside neighbourhood between Salford and Manchester city centres. After asking residents what causes were most important to them, Get Living’s New Maker Yards team has been supporting Mind in Salford and donated over £5,000.
Showing their support for the challenge, Naomi Evans, communications lead at Mind in Salford, added: “This is going to be a tough physical challenge even considering Jared’s fitness level! We’re so grateful for the support at a time when we’re trying to support our local community through the latest lockdown.”
* To enter the prize draw, participants will be asked to screenshot confirmation of their donation on Jared’s JustGiving account, and share on their Instagram Stories tagging all three accounts: @mind_in_salford, @berndtjared and @newmakeryards.
Competition will close on Wednesday 24 March with one winner chosen at random and announced on Friday 26 March. Winner will receive four 1:1 one-hour sessions with Jared to take place at New Maker Yards. Must be booked before 21 September. Get Living’s standard terms and conditions apply.
