Ten Royal Navy and Royal Marines powerlifters completed a 400-tonne challenge in the heart of Exeter to highlight the sacrifices made by British Forces in Afghanistan.
The Spartans gave us the immortal 300.
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Royal Marines and sailors went 100 better…
Ten Royal Navy and Royal Marines powerlifters completed a 400-tonne challenge in the heart of Exeter to highlight the sacrifices made by British Forces in Afghanistan.
The target was for each man to lift 40,000kgs in weight over a four-hour period – the total of 400 tonnes or 400,000kgs was selected to highlight and reflect the loss of more than 400 Britons in Afghanistan over the past decade.
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The lifting in Princesshay Square was performed using the three powerlifting disciplines: squat, bench press and deadlift. Each set of 10x100kg repetitions equated to one tonne.
The end result?
The lifters smashed their target: in all the men raised 559 tonnes – over 1.2 million lb in old money, or more than a Sandown-class minehunter (484 tonnes) or 74 London double-decker buses – thanks to some awesome lifting by every participant.
The strongmen were supported by veterans from the Exeter branch of the Royal Marines Association, led by chairman Jumper Collins whose team did a fantastic job in collecting £1,400 on the day alone.
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A ‘fanfare team’ from the RM Band was terrific in both drawing in the crowds and supporting the collection effort. Volunteer recruits from Hunter Company at CTCRM in Lympstone manned a RM careers stand and were very happy to be asked to lay out a full kit muster.
The event has raised over £3,500 for the RM Charitable Trust Fund which supports all members of the Corps past and present and their families.
You can still donate (and check out the ugly lifting shots…) at www.justgiving.com/400.
Anyone interested in the growing sport of powerlifting should contact Maj Steve Congreve RM on 07958 295300 orsteven.congreve258@mod.uk or look up the RNPA website or contact the team via Facebook.
