THREE Isle men have returned triumphant from a charity endurance challenge.
And remarkably, one of the victors of the Wolverhampton Tough Guy feat was 37-year old double-amputee Alan Rayment of Crowle - who was electrocuted twice in just one harrowing part of the course
Wet through and cold, he was in an old wheelbarrow for much of the course, and at one point had to “bum-shuffle” a narrow beam with a fall of 50 feet to a bed of nettles.
Alan said: “I didn’t dare look down, the team encouraged me but I was petrified. I tried clipping on my climbing rope but I was shaking so bad I couldn’t. Not sure how long it took but I made it.”
Alan was the first double-amputee in the world to try this challenge with his team the North Lindsey warriors, that included gym workmates Patrick Wyatt, 42, and Kiel Cuckson, 19, both from Belton.
The incredibly tough assault course forced many to overcome their phobias as they were, said Alan, “literally shaking with fear at times”.
One lad did go in to shock, said Alan. “It was the ultimate mental and physical test. Pure teamwork got us round in three hours 41 minutes. We had to rely on each other totally. The people who run it are taking Tough Guy out to Korea, and invited us to go....we’re still thinking about that one!”
The electric shocks Alan received were on the final stretch, following a steep climb. He said: “ As I slid down the dangling wires caught me. It really hurt and as my body bounced off the ground another hit me on the chest. I was in agony for a while.”
The Muddy Battlefield Endurance Challenge covers 10km and involves swimming, belly-crawling, slaloms and climbing.
Those who undertook it raised funds for When You Wish Upon a Star - a charity that grants wishes to critically ill children.
“I was left in real pain, with a black eye, bruises all over, rope burns on my bum and my right stump torn to shreds,” added Alan.
The fitness suite manager has represented Team GB in triathlon at world events, and completed the London Marathon despite losing his legs 15 years ago.
Next year’s challenge will be a Land’s End to John O’Groats sponsored walk. For now, however, Alan is grounded to await the impending birth of his third child.
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