Royal Navy recruits based at HMS Raleigh have got revenge on their PT instructor by challenging him to complete 250 rope climbs in just one day.
Leading Physical Trainer (LPT) Taff Jones invited staff and recruits to sponsor him and promised to climb a 30-foot rope once for every pound donated.
LPT Jones is one of the instructors responsible for taking the recruits through their 10-week initial naval training programme and is raising money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).
The 31-year-old started took 15 hours to complete the climbs, breaking off regularly to take classes and complete his daily work.
He said, “Rope climbs are very exhausting and it’s one of the toughest things the recruits have to do during their training. I knew people would appreciate how arduous the challenge would be and donate some money.”
This year is the 100th anniversary of the annual Army v Navy rugby match, held at Twickenham, and the RNRMC has issued a challenge to members of the Naval Service to raise money based on the number 100.
LPT Jones said, “I knew that people would want to get their own back and donate to see their physical trainer being challenged in this way, but perhaps I didn’t quite appreciate how keen they would be. So having said it would be a pound for each climb, I felt I had no choice, but to complete the 250.”
Having joined the Royal Navy 13 years ago, LPT Jones started his career as a Chef and transferred to the PT branch to combine his love of food with physical exercise.
Using his original skills the proud Welshman also made 100 Welsh cakes to sell to supplement his fundraising and in total raised £372.00 for the RNRMC.
The RNRMC is the principal charity of the Royal Navy. It exists to support sailors, marines and their families, for life. Beneficiaries lie at the heart of RNRMC’s purpose. Since 2007, the charity has funded projects and facilities that boost morale for those who serve today.
It also distributes millions of pounds annually to military charities which care for the children, families and veterans of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. Further details are available on the charity’s website: www.rnrmc.org.uk
This year’s Babcock Trophy Army v Navy rugby match will take place at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday 29 April.
