Former Rushden Royal Marine hoping to beat ski machine World Record while raising money for Saints Foundation

A Northamptonshire man is taking on a mammoth challenge to beat a ski machine World Record and raise much needed funds for a local charity.

Jack Fleckney, who is from Rushden, used to play rugby for Wasps before he joined the Royal Marines.

The 28-year-old now owns gyms and is always looking for new physical challenges to train for, which is why he has decided to dedicate a whole day to using the SkiErg and raising money for the Saints Foundation.

Jack said: “The machine is designed to replicate cross country skiing and it uses every muscle group from head to toe.

“It mimics holding onto ski poles and pushing through the snow to go forward.

“I’ve done a few different 24 hour challenges on different exercise machines and for different charities, but I wanted to do this one for the World Record.

“Doing it for a World Record helps with appreciation for it and with getting people involved, so hopefully it means more people will donate.”

To beat the current World Record for his age range, Jack will need to travel 274,850 metres in the 24 hours of his challenge, which he is starting on June 6 at 8am.

Jack added: “I’ll be on the machine for 56 or 57 minutes out of every hour, so I’ll have three or four minutes rest every hour.

“I’ll have to be going quite quickly to reach the target so I won’t be able to chill.

“I have been training for this for ages and with the lockdown it was a good thing to work towards.”

Previously, Jack has completed a 24 hour bike ride and a burpees challenge for time, but he usually does it for charities that help older people.

“At the gyms, we started working with the guys at the Saints Foundation just before the lockdown,” he added.

“It’s a nice switch for me, I wanted to concentrate on the future.

“I chose to work with these guys because of the passion they all have for what they do. It’s not just a tick box, they are actually giving these kids an opportunity.”

Jack hopes that his World Record challenge will raise £5,000 for the foundation that uses the power of sport to educate and inspire young people.

Jordan Letts, head of the Saints Foundation, added: “We were absolutely delighted to hear about Jack’s World Record attempt.

“This is a mammoth challenge to take on – a really incredible effort of strength and endurance – and we are so grateful to Jack for choosing to raise money for us.

“All our fundraising is impacted by a lack of events at the moment, and any funds Jack raises will be used to help support Saints Foundation’s aims of educating, inspiring and supporting young people within our community. All the best, Jack!”

To donate to Jack’s cause, visit his Virgin Giving page.

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