A PERSONAL fitness trainer burned thousands of calories and swam around 800 lengths as he pushed himself to the limit to raise funds for the under-threat Cardigan Oxygen Therapy Centre

David Maund, from Newcastle Emlyn, completed a gruelling a 12-hour gym and swim challenge at Coracles Country Club, Cenarth.

Starting at 8am, David did an hour’s workout in the gym on a rowing machine, cross-trainer and treadmill, followed by an hour’s swim and then kept repeating that punishing schedule until he finished at 8pm.

“My shoulders and arms were a bit sore after I had finished but surprisingly, my legs were not too bad,” he said.

“I think it was the swimming that took its toll. I reckon I did about 800 lengths and even started counting the blue tiles in the pool to try to pass the time.

“The secret was to find a certain level and pace myself. Normally you just go for it but this was not a normal day. There were times when it was quiet in the gym but you just had to carry on. I had also injured my ankle a couple of months ago and so was not quite sure how that would go.

“I had to make sure I stayed well hydrated and ate enough. In fact, it was a bit like Christmas Day – I ate what I wanted and didn’t feel guilty!

“I also want to say a big thank you to everyone at Coracles as they really looked after me.”

David hopes to raise around £500 for the oxygen therapy centre by the time all the money is collected and his latest endurance challenge has certainly not put him off.

“I quite fancy upping the ante – maybe I will do a 24-hour challenge in the future!” he added.

Cardigan Oxygen Therapy Centre, based at the Pentood Industrial Estate, is a charity which provides hyperbaric therapy for adults and children in Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Illnesses that benefit include MS, autism, cerebral palsy, MND, rheumatoid arthritis and many others, as well as fractures and tissue damage.

To donate to David’s fund-raising effort, go to Justgiving.com/fundraising/12hourgymswim