A host of gruelling challenges kicked off the annual O.P.T Outdoor Physical Training, Sports Day and Family Fun Day, as more than 40 competitors came together in the heat of the summer sun to raise money for military patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
Showing off their strength, speed, endurance and agility on a host of fun and challenging trials, competitors raised more than £1,300 for QEHB Charity’s Military Patient Fund.
O.P.T was set up by Barny O’Neill and Clinton Slater in July 2012, and focuses on improving people’s fitness and strengthening minds. Members train more than 14 times a week whilst the classes focus on a range of endurance, muscle building and mind strengthening exercises for all fitness abilities.
The Sports Day event took place on Sunday 6
th July at Alcester RFC, and was open to all fitness abilities and ages. It presented a host of tests including a tyre push, press up challenge, tug o war, hand stand and hang tough competitions and an exhaustingly relentless assault course. Kids were also catered for with a mini assault course for children, a bouncy castle and face painting.
One of the most popular fundraising elements of the day was the “Beast the Instructor” event, where people donated 50p to dish out punishments to the six O.P.T instructors.
Clinton Slater, Director of O.P.T and ex serving forces personnel, said: “Our annual Sports Day was a massive success and a great day out for the entire family! We were delighted to see so many people come along and support such a worthwhile cause and give it their all in such heat.
“Over 40 people tested their physical skills across a variety of fitness challenges. Our members and instructors are used to training in all weathers – rain, hail, sunshine – but the Sunday heat was a real killer at some points!
“We are delighted to be able to donate so much money to QEHB Charity, especially as it is a cause close to our hearts. We’d like to thank everyone involved and those that donated. We are already looking forward to our next fundraising event.”
Michael Tivey, Fundraising Assistant at QEHB Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Clinton and everyone who took part in the sporting and challenge event.
“The regular support we receive from O.P.T is invaluable. With their help we are able to provide added extras such as specialist wheel chairs and welfare facilities for military patients.”
To support patients please visit
www.qehb.org or contact 0121 371 4852.
O.P.T can be contacted via their website
www.outdoorpt.co.uk or facebook
www.facebook.com/outdoorphysicaltraining.opt
Pictured right with medals: father and son, Krzysztof Piecha and Marley Thruston. 
A host of gruelling challenges kicked off the annual O.P.T Outdoor Physical Training, Sports Day and Family Fun Day, as more than 40 competitors came together in the heat of the summer sun to raise money for military patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
Showing off their strength, speed, endurance and agility on a host of fun and challenging trials, competitors raised more than £1,300 for QEHB Charity’s Military Patient Fund.
O.P.T was set up by Barny O’Neill and Clinton Slater in July 2012, and focuses on improving people’s fitness and strengthening minds. Members train more than 14 times a week whilst the classes focus on a range of endurance, muscle building and mind strengthening exercises for all fitness abilities.
The Sports Day event took place on Sunday 6th July at Alcester RFC, and was open to all fitness abilities and ages. It presented a host of tests including a tyre push, press up challenge, tug o war, hand stand and hang tough competitions and an exhaustingly relentless assault course. Kids were also catered for with a mini assault course for children, a bouncy castle and face painting.
One of the most popular fundraising elements of the day was the “Beast the Instructor” event, where people donated 50p to dish out punishments to the six O.P.T instructors.
Clinton Slater, Director of O.P.T and ex serving forces personnel, said: “Our annual Sports Day was a massive success and a great day out for the entire family! We were delighted to see so many people come along and support such a worthwhile cause and give it their all in such heat.
“Over 40 people tested their physical skills across a variety of fitness challenges. Our members and instructors are used to training in all weathers – rain, hail, sunshine – but the Sunday heat was a real killer at some points!
“We are delighted to be able to donate so much money to QEHB Charity, especially as it is a cause close to our hearts. We’d like to thank everyone involved and those that donated. We are already looking forward to our next fundraising event.”
