They’ve swum the Channel, rowed the Strait of Hormuz and lifted their ship – all in aid of charity.
HMS Chiddingfold’s ship’s company recently completed a busy round of physical training to raise money for the Royal Navy Benevolent Trust (RNBT).
As part of a day of activity they swam 32kms (the distance of the English Channel), cycled 55kms (the distance from their homeport of Portsmouth to affiliated village of Chiddingfold, Surrey), rowed 33kms (the Strait of Hormuz at its narrowest point) and then, as a bonus, weightlifted 625 tonnes (the weight of the ship) and in the process raised over £1,000 for the RNBT.
Chiddingfold is currently deployed to the Gulf where the challenge was carried out. Leading the swimmers was Diving Officer Jason Munson, who said: “It was a difficult challenge to complete, but working as a team is what the Navy is all about, and together we successfully completed this one.”
“The Cheery Chid” has some very strong runners deployed onboard including Able Seaman Daryl Pickering, who represents the Royal Navy for endurance running.
He said: “The run was difficult because of the heat. Compared to when we first arrived in July the temperature has dropped significantly, but it is still not to be underestimated.
"Even with my training from the Royal Navy athletics team I found the run difficult, so what we have accomplished is something to be very proud of.”
After the run and swim attention turned to the row with Leading Chef, Steven ‘Sharky’ Ward, adding: “The row for me was the hardest part of the day, especially after the run and the swim.
"The support from everyone was the key to getting me through the day and I know that without them I would not have been able to do this today.”
But in addition to all of this, the crew also organised a month-long ‘Lift the Ship’ event with a few big lifters thriving under the pressure with some averaging 10 tonnes per session.
Petty Officer Engineering Technician Wayne Cook, who organised the event, said: “It was so good to see the ship’s company come together for a really worthwhile cause.
"I am so proud to have reached our target of £1,000, and of course a big thank you must go to all of our generous donors for supporting and believing in us. Without their support we would not have been able to accomplish this monumental feat.”
