Hi all, 

It's that time again, raising money for charity by doing something random and hopefully not TOO life threatening - this time, strong man training (FINALLY, no more endurance events!!) :-)

Once more I'll be competing in memory of my father Leonard Rogers, who gave me his name and some would say reason for getting into bodybuilding/lifting in the first place.

The task

I'm competing in the St Alban's First Timers Strongman Competition on July 19th (time and address to follow for those interested in coming down and cheering/booing!), where I'll hopefully be deadlifting cars, pressing logs and pulling cars and trucks on a nice sunny day. I'll be competing with around 20 other contenders so stiff competition, but hopefully a great day for all.

For those curious, the current events in full are:

• Log press (80kg for reps)
  
• Car deadlift for reps (weight added, peugeot 206 or polo)
• Farmers walk - 80-100kg with 10kg increments at each end
• TWO-vehicle pull, truck and car, over distance (weight added)
• 100kg bag carry for distance in 60 secs

The goal

I want to raise £2000 for Arthritis Research UK, we've donated to them in the past as we have members in the family that have suffered with arthritis and they really are an exceptional charity to donate to, so we're doing it again.

On top of this, I've been growing out a mean ginger/viking beard on a challenge earlier this year, and it just seems the manly thing to do to lift some big ass weights for fun. I also would love to make proud my wife, family, friends and the great people at CFFP gym who have helped inspire and educate me in strongman lifting.

The reward you say?

What's that you say? Donating to a great charity not enough? Getting the chance to see me try to pull a van AND car simultaneously not hitting the spot? You want more?

Ok, so one of two things will happen based on how much we can much for Arthritis Research UK - 

1. We hit the target of £2000

I give my all on the day, with a smile on my face for as long as possible, with pics and videos uploaded leading up to the event whenever possible of progress, feats of strength, or owie ouchies in full display, as well as as much footage from the day itself so you can see how I get on if you can't make it in person.

The beard stays, for another six months. Completing a full year of manliness and rugged gaunge hirsuteness that I didn't realise even existed! I will then dye my hair, eyebrows and beard grey/white/silver, dress up like a hulked out Santa, and give out sweets etc in the city 1/2 weeks before Christmas, spreading the cheer early in the year. I'll let you know when and where and you can pop round and say hi if you work in the city, I'll record it if not :-)

Once the full year is over, I'll also record the delicate removal of said beard, going into 2016 with a face my mother approves of again!

2. We do well, but miss the target of £2000

I give my all on the day, with a smile on my face for as long as possible, with pics and videos uploaded leading up to the event whenever possible of progress, feats of strength, or owie ouchies in full display, as well as as much footage from the day itself so you can see how I get on if you can't make it in person.

There are five events in total, with 20 competitors. For each event, if I manage to somehow rank in the top 10, great, the beard keeps going. If I fall short of that on an event, we shave part of the beard off right then and there while waiting for the next event. I'm thinking from full beard > mutton chops with goatee > angry biker > moustache ride > Tom Selleck > baby face but we'll see how we get on and what's left by the end of the day!

If the FULL beard remains by the end of the day, we may keep the Santa Smash idea on the table ;-)

So please donate generously and here's to a great cause, and a fun day!

All the best,

Leo xx