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

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.

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.

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.

O'Neill and Brown Group was one of many companies which donated generously to the NuggOff.

Second place at NuggOff was a $250 bar tab at Public Manuka.

Luke Bateman from the Raiders, Martin Fisk CEO of Menslink, Sam Williams from the Raiders with Tim Gavel from Region Media.

Contestants hungrily awaited their opportunity to eat 30 nuggets and drink a schooner of beer.

The official NuggOff 2019 T-shirt.

Over 2000 nuggets were eaten.

Large crowds gathered to see who would be the NuggOff champion.

It turned out to be a lot harder than it sounds, as many failed to eat the full 30 nuggets.

The afternoon was enjoyed by all.

Menslink services are free to use and the NuggOff was a fun way to raise funds for this great charity but also bring awareness to Mental Health and start the conversation.

In its fourth year, the 2019 NuggOff turnout was huge.

The winners cheques.

Brian Chamberlain presenting the cheque on behalf of the Chamberlain Foundation.

The winning time to eat 30 nuggets and drink of schooner of beer was 2 minutes 50 seconds.