Auckland strongmen Gareth Edwards and Tom Moore are aiming to break the Guinness World Record for tyre flipping in July, all in the name of mental health. The pair, who are currently in training, will flip a 93kg tractor tyre for 24 hours straight in a bid to shift the tyre the furthest distance possible, raising funds for the newly formed Sir John Kirwan Foundation in the process.
Mr Edwards, a personal trainer and entrepreneur, and Mr Moore, a physical education teacher at Macleans College in Howick, say the decision to raise awareness and funds for mental health was an easy one.
“We’ve both had challenging times in the past and we wanted to use this opportunity to raise awareness and keep the conversation around mental health going as we push ourselves to the limit both physically and mentally,” Mr Edwards says.
“We are also increasingly aware of the need for children to develop good mental health skills hence our support of the Sir John Kirwan Foundation.” Sir John Kirwan says he is delighted the Foundation will benefit from the novel initiative.
“Flipping a heavy tyre for 24 hours is a huge effort requiring both physical and mental strength and its great Tom and Gareth have chosen to support mental health education for young people.”
The world record attempt will take place on 20 July at AUT Millennium following six months of intensive training. The current record for tyre flipping is 20kms in 24 hours, which the boys hope to smash with a goal of 38kms.
You can follow the training journey on instagram @beardedentrepreneurnz and @thgmoore
A Givealittle page is also online at: givealittle.co.nz/cause/24-hour-tyre-flipping-for-mental-health
