Nine musclemen gave their all to prove their strength and be crowned the strongman of Barclays House at Poole.
Staff member Ian Keeling, 52, organised the competition at the car park of the town centre headquarters, to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
After a variety of trials of strength including a medley carrying a heavy anchor, beer barrel and tumble drier, flipping an aircraft tyre, a ‘farmer’s walk’ carrying 40 kilogram weights in each hand, a dead lift and pulling an Audi A1 for 20 metres, courtesy of Poole Audi, the title went to Kyle O’nions, aged 24.
“He did really well,” said Ian, who was suffering from a cold and was unable to give his best performance. “Most of the competitors were half my age,” he said.
But one who was not was 80-year-old referee John Gallacher, who took part in the dead lift, raising 190 kilograms.
Ian, who has weight-trained for many years and worked at Barclays House for 35 years, was motivated to become a strongman after meeting legend Bill Kazmaier, who said he would never be able to pull a truck.
Twelve years ago Ian proved him wrong by pulling an eight tonne truck at Bournemouth Airport.
He decided to raise funds to help cancer sufferers after his mother-in-law died from a brain tumour. “Since then many people around me have had cancer,” he said.
He hopes to raise over £1,000 but wet weather kept many spectators away. But Barclays will match any amount up to £750.
“We are absolutely delighted that Ian Keeling and Barclays House decided to attempt such a great challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK,” said Ros Fry, the charity’s area volunteer manager for Dorset.
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