Having lost two very close friends to mental health struggles left Paddy McClintock (SU 2019-21) determined to prevent his own mental health from slipping. Finding a passion for competing in triathlons, by the age of 18, he had signed up for his first Ironman 70.3. Throughout Paddy’s training programme and fundraising for charity, he started using the words: ‘Check in on a mate’, which became a tagline to his efforts.

Two years later, three more Ironman 70.3 events and a full Ironman, ‘Check in on a mate’ has officially launched.

Throughout Paddy’s fundraising journey, Honor (LI 2019-21) and Olly (CO 2019-21) became crucial to his ‘why’. Doing difficult and challenging events helped Paddy come to terms with their deaths, raise awareness, and promote the importance of looking after yourself while pushing the limits of what you think is possible.

Paddy plans to continue to raise awareness on social media platforms as well as delivering a number of talks to universities and schools. Paddy recently came back to the College as part of this initiative.

You can keep up with Paddy’s fundraising efforts and progress via Instagram.