TikTok star’s mission to provide one million meals to those in need

A social media influencer from Tadley has embarked on a mission to provide one million meals to those that need them.

Max McCann is a 28-year-old TikTok star whose account @mealswithmax, which is focused on teaching people how to make healthy and budget-friendly food, has over 2 million followers on the platform.

Mr McCann has now begun his ‘Mad Max Challenge’ which will see him complete several physically-demanding challenges to raise awareness of his campaign and raise funds for the cause.

He has already done 1,000 25kg squats in a day, and 1,000 20kg bench presses in just two hours.

When asked about how he’s able to do it, Mr McCann said: “As long as you’ve got a clear purpose, and it’s a genuine purpose, I think it gives you all the energy you need.”

He has taken on this momentous task for two reasons. Having suffered with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues over the years, Mr McCann finds peace and solace in pushing himself to his physical and mental limits with these challenges.

Also, when he was a child, his family would rely on foodbanks for support when they needed it.

“What I wanted to do now I’ve got a platform of 2 million followers is to give back the best I can and help people that are in the position I was once in and my family was once in,” he said.

“These challenges are for me to push through but also to inspire others to do things and help others to push through any challenges they’re facing.”

The Mad Max Challenge only began a few weeks ago, but it has already raised over £5,500, and Mr McCann has already delivered several hundred meal packs to foodbanks in Basingstoke and in Kent.

He makes and delivers the meal packs himself. They all contain enough food for a four portion meal with a recipe card that has a QR code which links to a video tutorial.

Mr McCann is now hoping that his challenges will gain enough social media attention to attract corporate sponsorship, allowing him to reach his goal of a million meals a lot quicker.

With enough backing, he eventually wants to build a centre in the Tadley area that would contain a foodbank, a kitchen that provides free meals and a gym that provides a fitness space for people who can’t afford a gym membership.

To donate to the Mad Max Challenge, visit http://rb.gy/os19r

Mr McCann is taking suggestions for upcoming challenges on his TikTok account, and ones in the pipeline include cycling from the top to the bottom of the UK, doing a 100-metre handstand walk, planking for an hour and running 500 laps of an athletics track over five days.

He also hopes to complete a quarter, half and full Ironman triathlon over the next 12 months.