REAL Tough Guys!

I felt privileged to get a personal invitation from Billy Wilson, the well known charity fundraiser from Wolverhampton, to attend and photograph an Atmy exercise on his farm at Perton the other day. The news had been embargoed until early on the morning of the event as the troops concerned are off to Afghanistan very shortly

These brave young men and women took on a slightly sanitised version of the Tough Guy course, as the MoD apparently felt that the civilian version was too risky, with its fire runs and electric prods!!!

Never the less the weather proved to be the challenging factor as the water temperature was low enough to risk hypothermia, and I saw several casualties being stretchered to waiting Army ambulances. Fortunately I heard from the MO later that they were all recovered and were eating heartily!

Although I captured many dramatic and gritty images I think that this one show the British soldier at his best - having a laugh despite the conditions!

Tough Guys...

... of all shapes and sizes (and sexes) came to do battle at Billy Wilson's farm in Perton, just outside Wolverhampton today. Although it was snowing slightly when I arrived ad the temperature was a balmy -2c, there was no shortage of runners ready to challenge themselves against this most dangerous and death defying course. Over 8 miles of muddy running, ice cold water, that had to be broken beforethe competitors plunged in, and then the ordeal of fire, cattle prods, and nettles all provided the ultimate challenge. The money raised goes to Billy's charity, a donkey sanctuary, and also to help for the heroes in our community.

It was achallenge getting pix off to the agency as there were absolutely no facilities for Press photographers to work from - thank goodness for a Land Rover and a dongle! I was told that I was the first to file, so I was very pleased with that given the army of phootgraphers around. Funnily enough, most of them were "amateurs" but the expensive equipment that they all carried was enough to bring cheer to Mr Darling - someone is keeping the economy going with new photographic kit!

My picture shows one of the less extreme challenges - this fiery carpet is to be run over after emerging from ice cold water! I don't think this chap will need to wax his legs for a while!