TWO DRIVEN former Royal Marines Commandos who served together in Iraq and Afghanistan, completed a vigorous fitness test to raise money for charity at the Pershore Carnival.
James Grant, from Pershore and friend Stuart Elwell, gave themselves the task of completing an enduring challenge of 1,664 burpees at the carnival on Bank Holiday Monday (May 25) in less than four hours, but they only needed two hours 30 minutes to reach the milestone.
After two months of training, both men completed 832 burpees each to raise funds for the Royal Marines Charitable Trust Fund on behalf of the Royal Marines Ultra-Fit Association, which helps injured Marines back into civilian life as well as helping finance memorials.
So far they have raised more than £1,300 for the charity through 87 donations from family, friends and those who supported them at the carnival, excelling their target of £1,200.
Mr Grant said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the support that we have had and cannot thank everyone enough for their generous donations.
“The reason we chose to do 1,664 burpees, is that this is the year in which the Royal Marines was first formed, so naturally the number was very fitting.”
A JustGiving page which had been set up to receive donations is still active and can be found at www.justgiving.com/jamesandstuartrm
