Jack Rafferty, a 30-year-old Standby Art Director for Film & Television from Belfast, is embarking on a remarkable journey to raise awareness and funds for mental health through the notorious SuperHalfs Challenge. Having discovered a passion for running just last year, Jack is set to compete in six half-marathons across six different countries to support AWARE NI, a charity dedicated to helping those affected by with mental health challenges.

Jack’s journey into running began unexpectedly. During a pint of Guinness while watching the Ireland vs. Scotland 2023 Six Nations match, a challenge from a friend led him to sign up for the Belfast Marathon with just nine weeks to prepare. “It was only during the training for the Belfast Marathon that I realised how much I enjoyed running,” Jack said. This newfound enthusiasm inspired him to take on additional running challenges, including the SuperHalfs Challenge. So far, Jack has completed races in Lisbon and Copenhagen, with his next run scheduled in Cardiff on October 6, 2024. He also has Berlin planned for 2024, and due to scheduling conflicts, he’ll finish with races in Prague and Valencia by April 2026.

Jack’s personal journey with mental health has been profoundly shaped by his life experiences. He reflected, “I didn’t realise it for some time but the wear and tear of life snuck up on my mental health and started making rifts which rippled through my day to day.” The loss of his mother, work stress, and family issues contributed to his mental health struggles. It was only after reaching a low point and the end of a significant relationship that he sought help and began his healing process.

Running has become a crucial part of his recovery. “Running gives me a contemplative space to process my thoughts in a healthy way,” Jack explained. “I find peace in thinking while moving. It turns out running has the same accelerated effect.” This has not only improved his mental well-being but also allowed him to set and achieve personal goals, such as aiming for a 1:20 finish in the Valencia leg of the SuperHalfs Challenge.

Jack chose AWARE NI as his charity due to its commitment to supporting individuals facing mental health challenges. “I chose AWARE NI because it sets out to achieve the goal of supporting people who were or are struggling just like me,” he said. With two races still to go, Jack has already surpassed his initial fundraising target of £1,000.

In promoting mental health awareness, Jack emphasised the importance of talking openly. “We don’t talk about it because mental health is shrouded in shame. We shouldn’t joke about mental health even if ‘we don’t mean it’ because it silences those who want to ask for help but fear rebuke by their friends. It’s like a ghost that haunts so many of us in silence, and the way to exorcise it is to bring it into the light. Talking is the light.”

Lesley Wright, Community Fundraising Officer at AWARE NI, added, “We’re incredibly grateful to Jack for taking on this immense challenge in aid of local mental health services. At AWARE NI, we rely on the dedication and generosity of people like Jack to ensure we can continue providing vital support to those affected by depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder across Northern Ireland. His commitment to his personal journey and raising awareness for mental health is truly inspiring, and we can’t thank him enough for spreading the message that no one has to face these challenges alone.”

For more information and to support Jack’s challenge, please visit https://aware.enthuse.com/pf/superhalfjack.

Tags: AWARE | Depression | Fundraising | Mental Health