HMS Collingwood Trio Completes World’s Biggest Assault Course

A trio from HMS Collingwood successfully completed the world’s biggest assault course in aid of the Royal Naval Benevolent Trust (RNBT).

Petty Officer (PO) Matthew Sommerville from the Above Water Tactical (AWT) Department was joined by colleagues civilian instructor Frankie Pugliano and PO Roger Shepherd as they took on the ‘Full Mucker – Rat Race’ at Burghley House near Peterborough.

The challenge proposed to eager participants was to take on a course consisting of 200 obstacles over 20 miles.

Frankie, Matthew and Roger endured energy sapping swims in deep water, muddy crawls under barbed wire and huge climbs at the final furlong on the physically demanding assault course, completing it in just 4 ½ hours.

Originally a quad, the team lost fellow member PO Kevin Bentley to injury a few days prior to the ‘Rat Race’ and he was unable to compete. However, he helped them by providing accommodation and in celebrating the teams’ success.

Matthew commented on the enormous challenge he and his team had undertaken “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life, it was certainly an experience!

“There was great team spirit amongst us and that made the whole challenge easier. Honestly, anyone could do it; there were no limits on capabilities.

“I was happy to complete it and have a shower at the end. It’s definitely a tick in the task book of life.”

The assault course was the culmination of fundraising challenges the AWT organised whilst fundraising for the RNBT.

They received endless support throughout from Corinne Day Events and Publicity Officer for the RNBT, colleagues and many local businesses who donated prizes for the Cross Bar Challenge.

In total the team raised £1000 for the charity.

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Press Release, June 04, 2014; Image: UK Navy