WATCH: Halloween gym fanatic who struggles with Asperger’s Syndrome takes on 50,000kg worth of deadlifts for charity
An Inverness man, who struggles with Asperger’s Syndrome, took on the ‘Day of the Deadlift’ challenge at Forge Gym in order to raise funds for Highland One Stop Shop.
Aaron Vass, who has been using Highland One Stop Shop since 2015, took the Day of the Dead to a new level this Halloween as he managed to lift 50,000kg in a matter of hours.
The Highland One Stop Shop (HOSS) is a service for autistic adults aged 16 and over who live in the Highlands. They provide a range of services, from drop ins, social groups and activities, to one-to-one appointments with a member of staff.
Staff strive to provide advice and information on a wide range of topics such as pre and post diagnostic support, benefits, employment and mental wellbeing.
Aaron was keen to ‘give something back’ to the Autism Initiatives service by doing his own challenge, which he spent around six months training for in order to complete it on his favourite day of the year, Halloween.
He completed 500 deadlifts of 100kg and managed to raise almost £800, which is £300 more than his original target.
Aaron said: “I have Asperger’s Syndrome and have my struggles. I want to raise funds for Highland One Stop Shop, as over the last nine years since I was diagnosed, the staff have helped me with various aspects of my life.
“I know HOSS struggles to get funding for this essential service for its users in the Highlands so I wanted to do my bit to help.”
The lifting started at around 2pm on Thursday, October 31 at The Forge Gym in Inverness where his personal trainer Pamela Irving, as well as the gym community came to support Aaron.
When describing Aaron and his sheer resilience, Pamela said: “He is just amazing and such a nice guy. He always comes in and works hard, he’s very curious and asks lots of questions which I absolutely love from my clients.
This physical challenge of endurance is something that Aaron has been inspired to do following his regular gym training sessions and interest in weightlifting.
Gill Maclennan, project co-ordinator at Highland One Stop Shop, said: “We are all absolutely amazed at Aaron’s fundraising effort.
“I’ve personally known Arron since 2015 since he registered with us. When he sets his mind and when he wants to try and do something, he really does set his mind and tries which I think is testament to what he’s done with the deadlift challenge.
“We are so grateful for his support and the donations from individuals sponsoring and supporting him to raise funds for us at Highland One Stop Shop.”
