New Longton man’s 25 day 25 push up challenge with a difference

Mark Watson and his family Pic: Mark Watson

A man from New Longton has completed the social media 25 push ups for 25 days challenge in an inventive way, raising money for Lancashire Mind.

Mark Watson decided to wear a different costume each day, adding an element of humour and entertainment to the challenge.

The idea came to Mark, who works for Leyland Trucks, on the second day of the challenge when he saw a wig and decided to wear it in his video. After getting a good response, he took it from there, making more creative videos for viewers to enjoy.

Mark said: “I came up with the ideas by just thinking about what I can wear and what props I had.

“I would think about it during the day at work and then try it out when I got home.”

Mark on the second day of his challenge. — Mark on the second day of his challenge Pic: Mark Watson

The videos feature Mark dressed up as a golfer, a snooker player, a banana, a solider and a flight attendant.

“Most of the costumes I had were already mine but I started struggling for ideas towards the end, so I borrowed costumes off friends who were more than happy to lend them to me,” he added.

After a huge social media success, with people waiting to see what he had thought of each day, Mark decided to raise money for Lancashire Minds as the challenge is to raise awareness of mental health.

Mark was nominated by his coach and sensei from Team NSKA Kickboxing, Gary Ellis, to take on the challenge. Gary became a common talking point and reference by Mark in his videos.

Mark has raised £400 for Lancashire Mind, a charity dedicated to making a difference to the mental health of those living and working in the county.

Emma Bateson, leader in Fundraising at Lancashire Mind said: “On behalf of everyone at Lancashire Mind I would like to personally thank Mark for his fundraising efforts.

“The fundraising that Mark and others like him do play a huge part in enabling Lancashire Mind to continue the work towards our vision of mental wellbeing for all- helping to remove the barriers so many face to good mental health and wellbeing across Lancashire.

“As a small, local independent charity we have seen a significant loss in fundraising income over the last four months so the support of Mark and others like him is needed more so than ever.

“As Mark demonstrates fundraising can be a lot of fun and doing something for others is a great way to improve your own wellbeing too.”

A highlights video of Mark’s challenges is on Facebook.

If you want to donate to Mark for his 25 day 25 push up challenge, you can do so on his JustGiving page.

What do you think about Mark’s approach to the challenge? Tell us in the comments below.