FITNESS fanatics from Bridgwater took on a tough canoeing challenge for charity at the weekend.

A team of 10 from C&S Fitness gym in Bridgwater were the second set of competitors to take on the Canoeing For A Cure challenge.

In September, Bridgwater Wayne’s Byles and colleagues set up the challenge to support Wayne’s friend and mentor Jim Murray, a police officer diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.

The group row 14.5 miles in Canadian canoes from Taunton’s Firepool Lock to Bridgwater Docks - they then picked up the canoes and carried them on foot all the way back, before rowing once more to the docks, finishing in 15 hours.

They also raised thousands of pounds for Brain Tumour Research.

This weekend C&S Fitness went and smashed the record, dropping break times, meaning after setting off at 5am, they completed the challenge in an impressive 12hrs 33mins.

Simon Evans from C&S Fitness said: “We were delighted. It was an incredible day.

“We had really good support along the whole route which really made a big difference and kept us going.”

The team finished with a well-earned party at the finish where a raffle was held, bringing their total raised past the £4,000 mark.

They have laid down an impressive marker for future competitors to take on, with the Army, police, fire service and a local boxing gym all showing interest in taking on the challenge.

“It was tough, we all had sore bodies and there were a few blisters on Sunday, but also a good sense of achievement,” Mr Evans said.

“It shows our fitness training is effective.

“We are hoping we can push our total up past the £5,000 mark.”

If you would like to donate justgiving.com/fundraising/candsfitness2019.