AS a means of raising funds for their non-profit organisation, a man from Nelson Mandela Bay will be attempting to break the world record of doing the most sit-ups in one hour.
The current record as per the Book of Alternative Records, is held by American, Guy Schott, who managed to do 2 477 sit-ups in one hour.
Ready and eager to break this record and raise funds for the Men of Honour Organisation, is military veteran, Terry Gibbon.
A former military paratrooper, Gibbon has always been very active but after several surgeries following a knee injury, a broken leg and many personal challenges, his life seemed to go into a downward spiral.
Things improved when he joined Men of Honour, which is a group of men from various backgrounds that seek to build up other men and help them cope with personal challenges.
Founded by former EP rugby player, Andrew Johnson, Men of Honour seeks to help men who struggle with various issues, such as drug and alcohol addiction, suicide, sexual identity and marriage problems, among others.
“After my injuries, I carried on with rugby and road-running but it was taking its toll on my knee.
Two years ago, I decided that I would start doing sit-ups and I saw that I was doing quite well with it. I Googled world records and thought that it was achievable and also a great way to raise funds for Men of Honour, so I started training,” Gibbon explained.
He mentioned that he wanted to attempt the world record two years ago to raise funds for the SPCA but the event had been cancelled twice due to COVID-19. This year will be the third time lucky.
“I want to break the record to raise the funds, to honour God and to make my dad proud.”
Gibbon said that they had managed to bag various sponsors that will ensure prizes for those attending the event later this month.
“I have always lacked faith but this year God has shown me I can do this mainly because of these people,” he said, referring to the members of the organisation.
Johnson, who is the founder and co-ordinator of Men of Honour, said that although their outreaches take place at Oasis Church in Charlo, they are inter-denominational, which means that anyone in need can attend their sessions on a Monday at 18:30.
“After attending a Mighty Men Conference in 2011, I realised that there is a need for a group for men in bad situations.
“I thought that we needed to start being accountable for one another and that’s how Men of Honour was established,” Johnson said.
“It has been a roller-coaster ride but these 11 years have been worth it. We have had our ups and downs but so many men have come into their rightful place,” he added.
Men of Honour’s Walter Frost explained that, apart from the spiritual sessions on Mondays, they also help the homeless by providing them with blankets and hand out “Jesus Jeans” to those in need.
“People who would like to donate jeans can bring them to the church when we gather on Mondays. We usually go to the pier to hand those out,” Frost said.
Those interested in watching Gibbon’s attempt at breaking the world record, can make their way to Viva Gym in Walmer at noon on Saturday, May 28.
Viva Gym representative, Zoë Puttergill, said that everyone was welcome to attend the event but they are cautioned to wear their face masks.
