Dave’s bell success rings loud

A DUBLINER has completed a gruelling 28kg kettlebell swing around a track for one mile to raise funds for charity.

Dave Hedges, from Crumlin, had been working up a sweat in the gym as he prepared for the tough task, which took place at the Irishtown Stadium recently.

The 39-year-old fitness instructor, who heads the Wild Geese training centre in the city, completed his first kettlebell swing challenge on Sandymount strand in 2011 to raise money for the HOPS Centre on Pearse Street, a mental health support service run by Rehab.

Dave’s admiration for the HOPS service started in 2011 when several people from the centre started to attend his classes.

The fitness fanatic then started to raise funds for the centre and over the last five years he has walked a mile swinging a 24kg kettlebell. His inspiring fundraising efforts have assisted in paying for new computers, bicycles, and equipment for a relaxation room.

This year, Dave took things up a notch by swinging a 28kg kettlebell around Irishtown Stadium.

While nearly €3,000 has been raised already, Dave is aiming to raise €6,000.

Speaking after the event, Dave said: “I was really looking forward to the swing. It’s both physically and mentally challenging.

“People affected by mental health difficulties struggle every day, so a little bit of muscle pain didn’t stop me from swinging a kettlebell for a mile.

“The funds raised from the event go directly into the centre for the benefits of the people who use the service.

“I’ve seen at firsthand how the funds help people using the centre. It’s inspiring to see people coming from a dark and emotionally stressful place, to leaving the centre and living happier, confident and independent lives.”

Barbara Kirkpatrick, manager of the Rehab HOPS centre, said: “You really have to see what Dave does to believe it.

“It truly is a tremendous effort seeing all the sweat and pain that goes into swinging a kettlebell for a mile.

“It is incredibly moving that Dave has completed the event again and continued to support people affected by mental health. We’re very proud of Dave and thank everybody who supported him.”

You can make a donation here – https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/mile-kettlebell-swing-challenge