A ROYAL Navy flight commander, based at RNAS Yeovilton, will attempt to set a world weightlifting record while raising funds for the armed forces charity Help for Heroes.

Rob Guest, 31, originally from Chesterfield, will look to deadlift a staggering 600,000kg in a 24-hour period from 9am on Saturday, November 9, at BMB Fitness, in Yeovil.

He explained: “I wanted to do something to raise some money, and I happened to come across a video of the guy who had set the world record of more than 580,000kg, and thought ‘that seems reasonably challenging; so why not start there’. My target is a nice round 600,000kg in the 24-hour window.

“My best deadweight lift is 230kg; however, this is all about endurance, so, the weight is going to be minimal and pretty boring. My plan is to lift around 40-60kg for between eight to 12 reps, every minute, for about 50-55 minutes per hour, and to have a five-to-10-minute break every hour. I hope to raise £1 for every 100kg lifted.”

Rob joined the Navy aged 16, attending the former military Welbeck College, in Leicestershire, for his A levels, before studying engineering at university under the Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme. He joined the Navy full-time as an engineer aged 21, but soon changed tack.

He said: "Being an engineer wasn't really for me. I saw the aircraft operating from the ship I was on and thought that looks way more fun. I transferred across to aircrew in 2016 and I've been doing flying training and front-line operations since then."

He’s now with 815 Naval Air Squadron, at Yeovilton, and, fittingly, given his chosen benefiting charity, he’s timed his record attempt, in nearby Yeovil, to coincide with Remembrance Day.

"I'll begin at 9am on November 9, roll through to 9am on Sunday, November 10, put on my uniform and then go to the local remembrance service in Yeovil. That's the plan, anyway."

"I've previously raised money for – and volunteered for – the Samaritans but I wanted to give back more to the military community. Help for Heroes is a good fit for the task, not just in terms of motivating myself – in supporting those who are in a far worse condition than me – but also from the physical demand perspective, likening that to how much harder life becomes as an injured veteran.

“I was looking for a challenge and when I saw the record and broke it down, I realised it was, potentially, achievable. I won't lie, the allure of holding a world record is attractive as well, but the main motivating factor was having a significant challenge and raising money for a good cause."

The current 24-hour deadlift world record, held by Nick Riding, from Reading, Berks, and recorded in 2022, stands at 580,220kg.

Rhys Edwards, Help for Heroes’ Community Fundraising Manager for Somerset, said: “Thankfully, for the Charity, Rob is one of those people who constantly needs to be challenged and we’re delighted he’s chosen to support us as he attempts this remarkable feat of physical endurance.

“Of course, I did offer to do it with him, but, unfortunately, I’ve a pedicure booked in for that day so am unable to participate."

He added: “We wish him well and thank him enormously for his efforts, as we continue to see increased demand for our services.”

Rob Guest can be sponsored via his Just Giving page and is on Instagram as @deadliftingforheroes. Visit helpforheroes.org.uk to get support from the Charity.

Help for Heroes champions the Armed Forces community and helps them live well after service. The Charity helps veteran families to recover and get on with their lives. It has already supported more than 31,000 people and won’t stop until every veteran gets the support they deserve.

The Charity supports veteran families, from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians (and their families) who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces.