SOLDIERS from across the country descended on the Duke of Gloucester barracks near Cirencester earlier this month and helped raise almost £400 for the Royal British Legion.

The 104 Logistic Support Brigade based at the South Cerney barracks hosted a charity fitness competition on Thursday, June 13, which saw 49 members of the army from the Midlands, Southampton, Oxford and elsewhere go head-to-head to prove their mettle.

The gruelling challenge comprised a 400m run followed by five founds of five pull-ups, 10 press-ups and 15 squats followed by another 400m sprint.

Lance Corporal Dawson of 29 Regiment the Royal Logistic Corps, also based at South Cerney, came away with the fastest individual male time at five minutes 29 seconds.

“That was tough,” he said.

“I can’t believe it was only five and a half minutes, it felt like a lot longer.”

The event was sponsored by fitness companies Crossfit, based in Cirencester, Sports Nutrition and Equipment Supplies of Swindon and military training specialists Beaverfit.