We're not talking about some added lockdown pounds, rather he'll be wearing a 10kg weight vest as part of the Top Blokes Foundation 'Lift the Load' challenge. Mr McNiven's goal is to walk 5km with the vest every day this month.

"The idea is that we're metaphorically and physically carrying a load for the guys who mentally carry that load," he said.

He is part of a team called Work in Progress and they hope to raise at least $2000 this month, although they're already on pace to smash that mark.

"One of the main driving factors is just trying to remove the stigma around mental health," he said.

"We talk about physical fitness on a sliding scale and if you're missing a game of rugby or a game of cricket because you're not fit, it's almost taboo to turn around and say it's a mental health issue.

"I think once we normalise it, there shouldn't be any reason why your mental health isn't something you work on like you would your physical fitness."

You can keep up to track with the Work in Progress team and donate here.

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