Navy navigator raises £4,600 for Combat Stress by completing circuits every hour for twenty fours on HMS Diamond
Despite the freezing cold, snow and ice, Verity Evans worked out for thirty minutes each hour for twenty four hours on HMS Diamond to raise awareness and funds for the veteran’s mental health charity Combat Stress.
Up to fifty of her shipmates took part in some of the circuits over the period but 22 kept her company throughout the whole gruelling challenge. A mix of burpees, press ups, team games and squats with brief breaks to take on water and food, Verity was allowed a few hours off before going back on duty.
Verity joined the Navy six years ago after studying politics at university. She doesn’t come from a military family but she wanted to raise money in memory of her late father who was a medical consultant for the Armed Forces and a trustee of Combat Stress.
She said:” I wanted to do something challenging while we were at sea but also something other members of the company could take part in if they wanted to get involved. We do circuit training to keep fit while on ship so it was something everyone knows and as there isn’t much space it was something we could do together or in small groups. My fitness watch showed that I burned 10,500 calories doing the challenge so I was able to eat whatever I wanted for a few days and I’d saved some chocolate bars as a treat.
"It did take me a couple of days to recover but I am looking forward to doing another challenge later in the year when I start my new job which is going to be land based! I did this in memory of my father to support a cause he was passionate about but I am delighted I’ve also been able to raise awareness as well as money for Combat Stress. “
Pictured: Verity (holding the board) and her shipmates