Ex-commando does almost 6,000 burpees in 24 hours

A former Royal Marines commando has raised about £13,000 for charity after completing almost 6,000 burpees in 24 hours.

Jamie Grant, from Pershore, Worcestershire, undertook the burpee challenge, where someone squats, places their hands on the floor and jumps back into a push-up position, over Saturday and Sunday.

He did the feat for The Royal Marines Charity which he said helped him overcome mental health issues years after he left the marines, having completed two tours in Afghanistan and been a part of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Mr Grant told BBC Hereford and Worcester he fell short of his target of 10,000 burpees, making it to 5,896, but said the challenge was never about the number.

"It was all about the charity and raising funds for an incredible cause," Mr Grant said.

He said it was an "incredible challenge", despite feeling sore afterwards, adding that many of his Royal Marines brothers were there to help him "fight through".

Mr Grant was part of the 40 Commando unit which took part in the Battle of Al-Faw in Iraq in 2003.

He previously told BBC Hereford and Worcester about how his wife called him while he was deployed and told him she was pregnant.

"The mixed emotions of having to get ready for operations and having this in the back of my mind all the while…it was quite difficult to focus on the job at hand," he said.

Years after he left the Royal Marines, Mr Grant started working for the ambulance service, which he described as a "rewarding" job but said it unearthed some of his struggles.

He explained he would get short-tempered, had trouble sleeping and started having flashbacks, adding: "My world folded in."

Mr Grant said if it had not been for his family and the charity, things "would be different".

Of The Royal Marines Charity, Mr Grant said: "They're just incredible people. They are so selfless.

"They helped me through some dark times and I wanted to give back to the charity so others could receive the treatment I did."

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