Seven Airbus engineers in Wrexham have completed a gruelling three-hour powerlifting marathon, lifting a total of 365,400kg – the equivalent of more than two Airbus A350 aircraft – and raising £2,033 for Wales Air Ambulance.
The challenge, which began as a daunting goal for three engineers, expanded to a seven-strong team after four more employees joined in. The original plan was to squat, bench press, and deadlift the weight of a single A350, requiring 2,583 repetitions of 60kg each. However, as momentum grew across the factory floor, the team decided to increase the target to two-and-a-third A350s.
Warren Davies, one of the participants, explained: “We were unable to agree on a running order and determined to ensure no single member had an easy ride, the team made an executive decision to increase the target to two-and-a-third A350s.”
Three-Hour Marathon at Total Fitness Gym
The team – Mark Edwards, Kallum Welch, Jason Edwards, Warren Davies, Tom Croft, Gareth Hadley, and Dylan Jones – staged a “takeover” of the Total Fitness gym in Wrexham, pushing themselves to their limits. Divided into two teams, the lifters went neck-and-neck, “fuelled by pre-workout, carbohydrates, and fierce workplace rivalry.”
As the hours passed, regular gym-goers watched in disbelief. One team member recalled: “The entire gym was looking over with the kind of expression that read, ‘There's definitely something wrong with you lot’.”
After three hours and six minutes of near-continuous lifting, with barely five minutes’ rest, the final rep was complete. The team completed 6,090 repetitions at 60kg each, lifting a total of 365,400kg – equivalent to 52,200kg per lifter. They were supported by Connie and Emma, who helped with counting and tracking during the challenge.
Fundraising Success and Charity Impact
The engineers originally set a fundraising target of £1,500 but quickly smashed it, raising £2,033. Airbus has a history of supporting Wales Air Ambulance, having raised £140,000 for the charity to date.
Wales Air Ambulance is a consultant-led service that takes hospital-standard treatments to patients and, if required, transfers them directly to the most appropriate hospital. It operates through a unique third sector and public sector partnership, with the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) providing highly skilled NHS consultants and critical care practitioners on board the charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions, and conduct minor operations at the scene of an incident. As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency critical care.
Debra Sima, Wales Air Ambulance regional fundraising manager, attended the challenge to support the team. She said: “Mark, Kallum, Jason, Warren, Tom, Gareth and Dylan set themselves a challenge that most people would shy away from and they were all incredible. Their determination was fierce and I was delighted to be there to support them on the day. The support they received from everyone was amazing and the fact they smashed their fundraising target is evident of this. A huge congratulations to you all. Thank you for supporting the Wales Air Ambulance. Airbus has been a huge supporter of our Charity, and we are grateful to you all for your continued support.”
She added: “Every year the Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £13m to keep our rapid response vehicles on the road and our helicopters in the air. This challenge will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most. Thank you so much.”
There is still time to support the team by donating to their fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/team/m-e-weightlifting-challenge.
