A team of Airbus engineers took on the ultimate powerlifting challenge of lifting the equivalent of more than two Airbus A350s in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance.
The fundraiser, which originally started off as a daunting challenge for three engineers, snowballed into a massive team effort, culminating in a gruelling three-hour powerlifting marathon in the sweltering heat.
The original mission seemed impossible enough as the three engineers vowed to squat, bench press, and deadlift the total weight of a single Airbus A350 aircraft. This would require a staggering 2,583 repetitions of 60kg.
However, as momentum and excitement reverberated across the factory floor, four more employees stepped forward to join the cause.
Warren Davies said: “We were unable to agree on a running order and determined to ensure no single member had an easy ride, the team made an executive decision to increase the target to two-and-a-third A350s.”
The powerlifting team, Mark Edwards, Kallum Welch, Jason Edwards, Warren Davies, Tom Croft, Gareth Hadley and Dylan Jones, successfully staged a “takeover” of the Total Fitness gym in Wrexham, pushing their bodies to the absolute limit to raise vital funds for the all-Wales Charity.
At the start of the challenge the men were divided into two teams, the lifters went neck-and-neck, ‘fuelled by pre-workout, carbohydrates, and fierce workplace rivalry’.
As the hours ticked by, regular gym-goers could only watch in sheer disbelief.
“The entire gym was looking over with the kind of expression that read, ‘There’s definitely something wrong with you lot’,” recalled one team member.
After 3 hours and 6 minutes of near-continuous lifting, with barely five minutes’ rest, the final rep was complete. Sweaty and proud, the seven men brought the challenge to a close.
The team completed an incredible 6,090 repetitions at 60kg each, lifting a total of 365,400kg—equivalent to 52,200kg per lifter.
The men were supported by Connie and Emma who helped with counting and tracking during the challenge.
The seven engineers completed it through sweat, tears and heavy iron, whilst raising an incredible £2,033. They originally set themselves the fundraising target of £1,500 but quickly smashed that total.
Airbus is no stranger to supporting the lifesaving Charity, to date the company has raised an incredible £140,000 for the Charity.
Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury.
It is delivered via a unique third sector and public sector partnership. The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) supplies highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners who work on board the Charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident.
As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency critical care.
Debra Sima, Wales Air Ambulance Regional Fundraising Manager for the area, went along on the day to support the men in their ultimate challenge.
She said: “Mark, Kallum, Jason, Warren, Tom, Gareth and Dylan set themselves a challenge that most people would shy away from and they were all incredible. Their determination was fierce and I was delighted to be there to support them on the day. The support they received from everyone was amazing and the fact they smashed their fundraising target is evident of this.
“A huge congratulations to you all. Thank you for supporting the Wales Air Ambulance. Airbus has been a huge supporter of our Charity, and we are grateful to you all for your continued support.
“Every year the Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £13 million to keep our rapid response vehicles on the road and our helicopters in the air. This challenge will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most. Thank you so much.”
There’s still time to show the team your support by donating to their fundraising page www.justgiving.com/team/m-e-weightlifting-challenge
