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Bristol Aztecs Charity Weightlifting Challenge
The Bristol Aztecs American football Cub challenged
themselves to lifting 500 tonnes, equivalent to 66 red London double decker
buses, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support (www.macmillan.org.uk).
The event took place at Filton College’s BodyWISE
Gym based in Stoke Gifford, Bristol. The multi-million pound WISE campus is
where the Aztecs practice and play their home games in the British American
Football League.
Just under 20 players took part in the 4½ hour slot,
worked together in small groups in order to lift as much as possible. The
exercises used were bench press, leg press, squats and deadlifts. Each club
member had a personal goal, as well as contributing towards the collective goal
of half a million kilogrammes.
However, and perhaps fresh from having a couple of
weeks without competitive games, the players rapidly achieved their target and
felt inspired to shoot for twice the amount. At the end of the lift, a number
of personal lifting records were smashed ... in total, the Aztecs managed to
lift an incredible 1.1 million kg, equivalent to a staggering 147 red London double
decker buses!!!
Macmillan Cancer Care and Support are a charity close to the hearts of
many former and present Bristol Aztec, and former players at the University of
the West of England’s Bullets American football team. Former coach, Steve Jones
passed away due to cancer in September 2003, and was a leading figure in the
growth and development of the UWE Bullets, the Bristol Aztecs, and American football
within Bristol. He is still sorely missed, but his legacy still exists and UWE
teams still “hold the rope” for each other in his memory (www.bristolbullets.co.uk/4_history/holdtherope.html).
The strength of the American football programmes in Bristol are a testimony to
Coach Jones – Bristol Aztecs Youth, Bristol Aztecs Adults, UWE Bullets,
University of Bristol Barracuda, and the newly formed Filton PRIDE American
Football Academy (based at the Filton College’s WISE campus).
Sponsorship and Promotions Officer for the Bristol
Aztecs, Stuart Toogood, has confirmed that the club have chosen to support this
charity locally for the foreseeable future.
Jo Hillis, Fundraising Manager for Macmillan, says
"Macmillan fund a variety of nurses in the Bristol area. We also
provide financial support in the form of our grants. In 2008 we allocated
over £90,000 in grants to cancer patients in Bristol alone, helping them to
cope with the financial difficulties imposed by their diagnosis. The money
raised from this event will help us to support people in the local area even
more."
The Bristol Aztecs adult team hosts the Sussex
Thunder at the Filton College WISE Campus this coming Sunday 14th
June. Kick off is at 14:30, and entrance is free. The Bristol Aztecs youth team
return to action on Sunday 28th June, hosting the Farnham Knights at
the WISE campus. For more information on American Football in Bristol visit
www.aztecs.co.uk.
In order to donate to Macmillan on behalf of the Bristol Aztecs American football
club visit
www.justgiving.com/aztecs
.