12 May 2020

NuggOff raises $60,000 for men's mental health

| Dominic Giannini
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NuggOff

Public Bar in Manuka was packed as crowds cheered on contestants battling it out to eat 30 nuggets and drink a beer the fastest. Photos: Region Media.

How long does it take to eat a chicken nugget? How about 30 of them? And down a schooner? If you reckon three minutes sounds about right, you might have what it takes to be a NuggOff champion!

The NuggOff is part of the Annual Construction Charity Challenge event to raise funds and awareness for Menslink, which supports young men in Canberra tackle mental health with free mentoring, counselling and education programs. The winner took home bragging rights, a belly of nuggets and a $500 bar tab at Public Bar in Manuka.

Contestants from across the Territory lined up on Friday for the annual NuggOff and polished off more than 2000 chicken nuggets to set a new record of 2 minutes 50 seconds.

Construction companies from all over Canberra donated money, with the 13 largest donations receiving a signed Raiders jersey. The company making the biggest donation will also receive a Raiders game-day experience.

Nugg Off

The winner of the NuggOff with his prize: a $500 bar tab at Public Bar in Manuka.

This year, more than $60,000 was raised, quadrupling last year’s total and almost doubling the fundraising target.

Chamberlain Foundation took home the honours with a donation of $10,000. O’Neill and Brown Group kicked in a sizeable $6,000.

Nugg Off donation

The Chamberlain Foundation were at the top of the leaderboard with their massive donation of $10,000. Pictured (L-R) is Brian Chamberlain with Sam Williams from the Raiders, Martin Fisk from Menslink and Luke Bateman from the Raiders.

Raiders stars Luke Bateman and Sam Williams also made an appearance as ambassadors for Menslink, encouraging young men to speak up about mental health, and to help reduce the stigma that so often surrounds the topic.

Speaking to Region Media’s Tim Gavel, Williams noted that mental illness didn’t discriminate and could affect anyone.

“It’s important … we have vulnerabilities as well, [professional sport is] a high-pressure job, so Menslink helps some of our players,” he said.

For more information about Menslink, mental health and where you can seek help, visit Menslink.

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