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The 36 Challenge gets
underway at the Mall Chequers

It was a battle of muscle, stamina and sheer
will-power as nine teams stepped up to compete in this year’s 36
Challenge.

The competition, now in its third year, was
designed to raise funds for the 36 Engineer Regiment Welfare Fund
and was inaugurated after the death of Cpl Ivano ‘Sean’ Violino,
from West Malling, killed while on duty in Helmand Province in
2007.

The 36 Engineer Regiment itself fielded
two teams in the contest The Invicta Green Machine and a Gurkha
team called Hulme’s Heroes. Their CO Lt Col Simon Hulme was
at The Mall Chequers to encourage his men.

Col Hulme said: “It’s was wonderful to see so
many people willing to take part and to have the shoppers watching
and encouraging the teams.

“The Army is part of the community, especially
here in Maidstone, and its fanastic to take part in community
events like this.”

The Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Peter Parvin
started the first race, warning the competitors: “Maidstone expects
every man to do his duty today.”

Each team had to complete a 6km cycle ride, a
3km row, and take part in a press-ups challenge, shoulder touches,
tricep dips and burpees.

The other teams included the Bob Prowse Gym,
the Maidstone Leisure Trust, The Village Hotel, Maidstone Rugby
Club’s Under 17s, Kent Police, Blue Watch from the KFRS, and
Trust in Maidstone Leisure.

For the third year in succcesion, Bob Prowse
proved the ultimate champions, with the Invicta Green machine a
close second.

The event raised more than £5,500 for the
welfare fund.

*Mall Chequers manager Paul Alcock, who
organised the event, urged teams to start training for next year’s
contest, which will be on March 14.