NINE friends from Melksham are taking on the Tough Mudder challenge to raise money for Help for Heroes.
The group known as Melksham Mudders will take on the endurance event in which participants attempt a 12-mile long military-style obstacle course at Henley on Thames on Saturday 26th April.
The course is designed by the British Special Forces to test mental as well as physical strength, and obstacles often play on common human fears, such as fire, water, electricity and heights. The organisers encourage teamwork, and many obstacles are designed to be very difficult to complete alone.
Melksham Mudders’ team members range in age from 25-51 and includes Sadie Brimble as captain as well as Dale Pullinger, Dan Birks, Zoe Hibberd, Darren Buckley, Jason Vickers, Allen Dunn, Gary Lloyd and Ashley Groves.
Captain Sadie Brimble said, “We all grew up in Melksham, several of us grew up together, went to school together, train at various gyms together such as Dragonslair, where we all do group circuit training to prepare for the event and city fitness. We also socialise together so when we’re not training, we like to let our hair down.
“None of us have done a race like this before and we chose Tough Mudder as it’s a fantastic challenge and the set charity for Tough Mudder is Help for Heroes, which is close to our hearts as Dan Birks is our coach and a marine. The rest of us are just average Joe Bloggs and being able to take part in probably the toughest event on the planet, a 12-mile military-style assault course will be tough.
“The toughest part other than getting us all in one place at one time is to avoid injury on the rough muddy terrain, facing our fears. I’m sure the arctic enema on a cold day (ice baths) really suck, and the electroshock therapy should be interesting!
“Our fundraising target is £3,000, and at the last count we had 1,400. We would also like to thank our sponsors who are Dragonslair, City Fitness, Moles Brewery, Automotion Clinic, Melksham Tyre Supplies and PDH Roofing.”
To find out more about Tough Mudder visit www.toughmudder.co.uk or to sponsor the Melksham Mudders visit their fundraising page www. eventbrite.com/teams/melkshams-mudders /431147
