> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Ben Firth smashes the 2.6 Challenge for MindOut - URL: https://www.scenemag.co.uk/ben-firth-smashes-the-2-6-challenge-for-mindout/ - Published: 2020-05-29T12:35:48.000Z - Updated: 2020-05-29T10:20:57.000Z - Description: Ben Firth, a trustee for LGBTQ+ mental health charity MindOut, gives us a peek inside his diary, which documents the ups and downs of the 2.6 Challenge. - Author: Contributor - Tags: Features & Longread, Health, Health and Beauty, In The South, Information, Mental Health, News, Queer Corner, The Brighton Rainbow Fund, COVID19, LGBTQ, Lockdown, mental health awareness, MindOut [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/image600.jpg)](https://www.gscene.com/news/first-look-trailer-lgbtq-thriller-the-ground-beneath-my-feet/attachment/image600-12/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Ben Firth, a trustee for LGBTQ+ mental health charity **MindOut**, donned multiple wigs and crazy outfits this month to raise vital funds for the charity – standing at £1,500 at the time of writing – by undertaking a series of 26-minute strength classes (HIITs) over 26 days in fancy dress. Here, he gives us a peek inside his diary, which documents the ups and downs of the **2.6 Challenge**. **To donate, [visit Ben’s fundraising page:](http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ben-firth-26minstrength26days?ref=scenemag.co.uk)** **Day one:** MindOut pink. Launch day. Not sure what I have committed to! But the purpose is clear, LGBTQ+ mental health services need funds to bridge the fundraising gap. **Day two:** Got a bit Netflix lockdown creative. Turns out Joe Exotic had been hiding in my fancy dress cupboard. **Day three:** Put on the blue wig and asked the other half who I looked like. Sia! With sultry looks to match. **Day four:** The daily HIIT was delivered by Boris Johnson… A bit different to the daily conference. [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/scree600.png)](https://www.gscene.com/news/first-look-trailer-lgbtq-thriller-the-ground-beneath-my-feet/attachment/scree600-2/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Day five: The wigs took a back seat and Fireman Sam came out, braces and all. **Day six:** It’s blue steel! Or Magnum? Derek Zoolander proved that doing HIITs doesn’t make you really, really ridiculously good looking. **Day seven:** Zorro whips me into shape and goes down well with some supporters! **Day eight:** I was asked to be an air hostess and Green Hair Airways was born. I was grateful to find the nearest emergency exit… **Day nine:** If you like my body and you think I’m…. Rod Stewart? Hmm, debatable. **Day ten:** Pink hair, don’t care! A nod to MindOut and reset on the purpose of the challenge. [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/image4600400.png)](https://www.gscene.com/news/first-look-trailer-lgbtq-thriller-the-ground-beneath-my-feet/attachment/image4600400/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Day 11: This is the captain of your ship, calling. It was VE Day and the Bank Holiday Friday. **Day 12:** The Hoff! And a slow-motion dive to celebrate Baywatch making it to lockdown London. **Day 13:** Half-way! And £1,000 raised for MindOut. Only one thing for it, a cheerleader to say cheers for all the donations. **Day 14:** Karma, karma, karma, come on and donate! A bit of Boy George to keep me going. **Day 15:** My ‘longing for a festival look’ for everyone who will be doing virtual festivals and gigs this summer. **Day 16:** A bit of *Stupid Love* to celebrate all things Lady Gaga and one of the soundtracks of the summer. **Day 17:** A very busy day led to a quick fancy dress dash to the cupboard and Karate Kid being born from a bandana. **Day 18:** The hippie in me came out to spread some love and have a bop. **Day 19:** It’s Eurovision! Cheryl Baker and Frida make an appearance. And one of the best night’s lockdown TV happens through a tour of Eurovision history. [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/mind-out400600.jpg)](https://www.gscene.com/news/mindout-responds-to-women-and-equalities-ministers-announcement-on-trans-rights/attachment/mind-out400600/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Day 20: IDAHOBIT. No costume, just me being me. **Day 21:** Hulk Hogan comes out of retirement and wrestles this HIIT to the ground. **Day 22:** Taking it old school, Mr Motivator adorns the fluro for some upbeat vibes. [![](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/160420-mhaw-kindness-600.png)](https://www.gscene.com/news/mental-health-awareness-week-get-involved-spread-kindness/attachment/160420-mhaw-kindness-600/?ref=scenemag.co.uk) Day 23: It’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Sister Kindness gives a Sister Act number of a lifetime and spreads the message that kindness costs nothing. **Day 24:** Feeling some NYC Police vibes and hip-hop to match. **Day 25:** HIIT me baby one more time! See what I did there? Britney was HOT, the cardy was ditched hallway for fear of overheating. **Day 26:** MindOut pink brings this home with a message to #MindOutForEachOther. And a massive thank you to everyone who donated! **[Check out Ben’s fundraising page here:](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.justgiving.com%2Ffundraising%2Fben-firth-26minstrength26days%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1Dk9NeX3blX0wP6x-HYBl3u%5F1VT-bWP0kHPL87XT5t3ajtmFCDxaU6ZCc&h=AT2cWnUwlgbaaEjyQljxO4AxTJmt6yZ4-6OOsTqiafWkw0XdkqtrWgbw1f7ZPQteRFWbBjpZ4cxpVtaBuDnIzPqWmLpkcSXOuauYVPyDhuZKb3-Ok-03yOcLMzZNL5%5FaIR8BsDO1&ref=scenemag.co.uk)** **You can also [donate to MindOut here:](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mindout.org.uk%2Fdonate%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR10ZyVQ6AmjhjpAQN8hwfje4OQM1toyx7sVVeTkgMmV-mwcKGhUWxySScU&h=AT2cWnUwlgbaaEjyQljxO4AxTJmt6yZ4-6OOsTqiafWkw0XdkqtrWgbw1f7ZPQteRFWbBjpZ4cxpVtaBuDnIzPqWmLpkcSXOuauYVPyDhuZKb3-Ok-03yOcLMzZNL5%5FaIR8BsDO1&ref=scenemag.co.uk)**