I'm carrying a boulder for a 100 days to symbolise men's struggles
BBCA 25kg boulder might seem an unusual companion for a daily walk, but for Steve Marshall it has become a powerful symbol of the burdens men carry through life.
Steve, from Telford, is carrying the rock on his shoulder for a 100 days to raise awareness of men's mental health and raise money for charity.
He carried the boulder to the top of The Wrekin on Saturday as part of the challenge, marking his 45th day of the challenge.
He told the BBC: "The struggle that men go through on a daily basis is what I symbolise as this rock".
A final ascent of Snowdon is planned for New Year's Day, as he aims to raise £5,000 for men's mental health charity, Men Walking and Talking.
The idea started when Steve spotted the boulder on the coast at Barmouth.
He said: "I just looked at it, I picked it up one time and thought that's going to be hard. Most men carry 10, 20 times more pressure on their shoulders on a daily basis than what I am carrying this rock."
Carrying the boulder has brought challenges of its own. Steve has adapted a makeshift shoulder pad using memory foam and military tape, tweaking it as the days have gone on.
"Throughout the days I've been modifying it," he said.
"I've got some military sniper tape around there and for today I'm just going to put a bit of sniper tape on the corners to hold it in place."
As a former member of the armed forces, Steve said he understands why many men find it difficult to open up about personal struggles, particularly to people they do not know.
"With me carrying this rock symbolises to people, men are struggling and men aren't speaking up.
"Charities like Men Walking and Talking are giving them spaces to be able to have that calm in their lives just for an hour a week, to get around people who are also struggling from all walks of life and just giving men a little bit of breathing space."
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