CPU CBF Challenge 2011

At CPU RMP we provide specialist military training to members of the Royal Military Police (RMP), Royal Air Force Police (RAFP) and the Royal Marines Police Troop (RM Pol Tp). We then deploy them in small teams around the world for operational Close Protection support to military (MOD) operations and Other Government Department (OGD) missions in order to protect high ranking individuals in high threat environments.

The Central Benevolent Fund (CBF) is intended to maintain or increase the efficiency and esprit de corps of the Royal Military Police in the assistance or benefit of any such persons serving or veterans who have served in the Royal Military Police. It also cares for dependants, wives and widows for those members of the Corps who have made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

At CPU RMP we operate an extremely busy programme and will complete the events below in our own time. The team is highly motivated and looking forward to taking on the following challenges:

1. 24 hour Mile-a-thon - On 10/11 March 2011, 6 of us ran one mile consecutively for 24 hours. Once every hour, one of the team carried a 20 kilogram rucksack for their mile (nicknamed 'Bernie the Bergan'). The team managed to cover 186 miles in the 24 hours, averaging 31 miles per person.

2. Welsh 3000 - A team of 4 will cover 30 miles, over 14 peaks in 24 hours. All the peaks are over 3000 feet. This is a big race in the national trail event calendar.

3. Endurance Life Classic Quarter 44 - A 9 man team will take on this 44 mile ultra marathon from Lands End to Lizard point. We have one solo runner, 2 pairs and one relay team taking on the event.

4. John O'Groats to Lands End bike run - A team of 6 cyclists will cover the 984 mile route from the north of Scotland to most southerly part of the UK.

5. London to Paris row-a-thon - This challenge will be undertaken at the gym here at CPU. 6 members of the team will row 2 miles continuously using Concept II rowers to cover the 214 miles.

6. Mount Everest climb - Our team will ascend and decend Mount Snowdon, Wales until we have covered the 29,029 feet or 8848 metres that it would take to climb the worlds highest mountain.

7. Pen-Y-Fan Challenge - Our final challenge of the year will be 2 teams of 3 taking on the notorious Pen-Y-Fan in the Brecon Beacons (The infamous Special Forces 'Fan Dance'). Each person will carry a 25 kilogram rucksack and in their team they will hike approximately 16 miles over Pen-Y-Fan, twice in 24 hours. This will give an overall total of 64 miles, a very fitting end to a tremendously physically demanding year.

In addition to the challenges above, members of the unit are also going to enter trail events and road races to help raise more money towards the £20,000 grand total.