Ex-Soldier’s Push-Up Challenge Raising Awareness Of Military Suicides Goes Crazy Viral…And We LOVE It

A SCOTTISH ex-soldier’s challenge to raise awareness of military suicides has gone viral on social media.

Former Army sergeant major Terry Lowe has become an internet sensation after filming himself doing 22 push-ups every day for 22 days.

Stars such as ex-Man United defender Rio Ferdinand have also joined in The 22 Push-Up Challenge.

Glaswegian Terry, 37, who is now a security contractor in Iraq, served on four tours of Helmand province with 2 Scots, the Royal Highland Fusiliers, and embarked on the challenge in honour of the 22 US servicemen and women who take their own lives every day.

He said: “I was shocked to hear that so many veterans were taking their own lives. Post-traumatic stress disorder is an invisible injury that can wreak havoc long after soldiers have left the battlefield.

“It was the least I could do to get involved by smashing out the push-ups.”

Ex-Man United defender Rio Ferdinand has also joined in.

Ferdinand got in on the act by filming himself doing the challenge with his friend, former Sale Sharks rugby star turned fitness coach Mel Deane.

Terry said: “My gym buddy Pete Carson and I have been getting stuck into the challenge every day. We are not feeling any pain yet. The response we have been getting is great, apart from the people we have been nominating.”

Terry’s service included ­Operation Panchai Palang in Helmand in 2009 – British forces’ biggest battle since World War II.

The challenge is for British service personnel, who film themselves performing 22 push-ups a day for 22 days.

They then upload the videos to Facebook with the hashtags #£22PUSHUPCHALLENGE and #22KILL, a wider campaign about suicide among veterans.

Among those taking part was triple amputee, former Royal Marine Captain Jon White, 33, who was blown up in ­Afghanistan in 2010.

Dad-of-two Terry said: “More has to be done to raise awareness about providing the right mental health support and provision for servicemen.”

The campaign hope to pass the 22million push-ups mark as part of the challenge.

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