Staff Sergeant Stephen Hughes is undertaking 20 days of challenges.
Staff Sergeant Stephen Hughes is undertaking 20 days of challenges.

A British soldier stationed in the Afghan capital Kabul is attempting 20 grueling challenges in memory of troops who lost their lives in the war-torn country.

Staff Sergeant Stephen Hughes, 27, from the Royal Physical Training Corps, will attempt 20 physical challenges, 453 times to raise money for the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Stephen, who is from Swansea, started the 20-day challenge, which he is calling ‘Reps to Remember’ on Sunday November 30. He selected a total of 20 tough physical exercises to mark the number of British Forces operational tours of Afghanistan, and to repeat them 453 times, the number of British soldiers who lost their lives in the region.

He said: "I have chosen to raise money for the Royal Hospital Chelsea because as we leave Afghanistan myself and my comrades undoubtedly want the option of becoming Chelsea Pensioners ourselves in years to come. I came up with ‘Reps to Remember’ because I believe that we need to support the Royal Hospital Chelsea so that it in turn can support present and future combat troops for another 300 years.”

Kate Marsh, fundraising manager at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, said, “Stephen has come up with an incredibly tough challenge in order to raise a substantial sum for the home of the Chelsea Pensioners. We are in awe of his efforts, especially as each challenge will remember those service personnel who sadly lost their lives in Afghanistan. He is a true inspiration and we hope that the public will really get behind him."

Stephen is aiming to raise £5,000 for the hospital and has said that if he fails in this aim, he will pledge £2,500 of his own wages instead. To help Stephen succeed, please visit http://bit.ly/reps2remember and www.facebook.com/reps2remember

Stephen Hughes in Afghanistan
Stephen Hughes in Afghanistan

Sgt Hughes’ physical challenge schedule

  • 30 Nov - Heaves x453
  • 1 Dec - Squats x453 40kg
  • 2 Dec - Med ball twist sits x453 10kg
  • 3 Dec - Best effort run 4.53km
  • 4 Dec - PFA press ups x453
  • 5 Dec - Dead lifts x453 60kg
  • 6 Dec - Tricep dips x453
  • 7 Dec - Hill reps 4.53km body armor, 1000m mountain on the ANAOA Trg Area
  • 8 Dec - Kettlebell swing x453 20kg KB
  • 9 Dec - Lungees x453 40kg
  • 10 Dec - PFA Sits x453
  • 11 Dec - 30m Sprints x453
  • 12 Dec - Barbell curl x453 40kg
  • 13 Dec - Crunchies x453
  • 14 Dec - Squat thrusts x453
  • 15 Dec - Farmers walk 4.53km 20kg plates
  • 16 Dec - Power bag get ups x453
  • 17 Dec - Loaded march 4.53Km to be completed in no more than 45mins carrying 60kg
  • 18 Dec - Push press x453 40kg
  • 19 Dec - Sledge pull 100kg 4.53km