Clapham Junction fundraiser aims to break world record for burpees

A charity fundraiser will on Saturday May 29 attempt to bust 8,718 burpees over a 12-hour period to raise money and awareness for a local charity that uses boxing to help young people.

Tom Putnam attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the most burpees in a 12-hour period will be supported by 12 Rounds Boxing Club on St John’s Hill.

Tom is setting himself a personal challenge of doing just over 12 burpees a minute for 12 straight hours after being inspired last summer to do 2,600 burpees in a day as part of the 2.6 Challenge to help support charities through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tom is supporting two charities through this world-breaking attempt:

• Masanga Hospital in Sierra Leone, provides care to a catchment of 440,000 people in a country with only 200 medical doctors. Through the help of volunteer doctors and generous donations, they can provide health care to the local population and training to local doctors and nurses.

• Carney’s Community works to help disadvantaged and excluded young people in and around Battersea, using sport (in particular boxing) and mentoring to reduce offending, re-offending and antisocial skills, instead giving them the skills, discipline and self-respect they need to set their lives on a better trajectory.

George Turner, CEO, Carney’s Community said, “We were amazed to hear of Tom’s unbelievable challenge and to find out that Carney’s was one of his causes.  It’s so important for our participants to see that there are people out there who want to help them, and this is a great example.  It has been a tough year with the pandemic, but with support like this we can carry on providing services for those most in need.  We will be rooting for Tom on the day and will be doing some burpees alongside him to show our support.”

The record-breaking burpee challenge will take place on Clapham Common at the Pear Tree Café near the bandstand from 08:00 – 20:00.

12 Rounds Boxing Club will be on hand offering a special ‘boxing and burpee’ class throughout the morning, which will take place alongside of Tom’s record-breaking burpee test. The cost of this special class will be donated and match-funded by 12 Rounds Boxing Club to help raise money for Tom’s charities.

Kat Hamilton, Founder/Owner, 12 Rounds Boxing, said: “I am not surprised that Tom is taking on this enormous challenge. Our amazing members challenge themselves daily whilst learning to box, many times adapting their lifestyle for better health and wellbeing in the process, and then ultimately some choose to get into the ring for a boxing match.

“Tom’s determination with this burpee challenge is what 12 Rounds Boxing is all about. You must believe to succeed and coupled with the right training; anything is possible. The coaches have been helping to prepare Tom for this massive undertaking and we’re proud to be able to help him raise essential funds for these two charities.”

Tom Putnam, said: “This past year has been like no other and the pandemic has literally been a matter of life and death for so many people around the world, as well as here in the UK, so I wanted to challenge myself with this ambitious attempt so I could raise support for two causes that have continued to be there for those in need throughout the coronavirus crisis.

“My brother, a volunteer doctor at the amazing Masanga Hospital, has shared first-hand with me the challenges of providing much-needed care to a country with such limited healthcare provision, and Carney’s Community is continuing to do its best to help make a real difference to young people right here in Battersea when they’ve needed it most.”

Get involved in this Guinness Book of World Records burpee attempt on the day by signing up for a 12 Rounds Boxing Club ‘boxing and burpee’ class or support Tom with his challenge by visiting his Just Giving page.