A Royal Marine from RNAS Culdrose will be attempting to break a world record by running a half marathon with a fridge strapped to his back.

Sam Hammond, 30, is no stranger to running around the country with white goods strapped to his back, raising money for the Armed Forces Charity and SSAFA (Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen Family Association). This time, however, he will be going for a world record.

On Sunday, February 26 Sam will be running the Brighton Half with his fridge, which has been named 'Fidget Jones' after being voted in a poll on his 'man_vs_fridge' Instagram account. 

Sam said: “I have been doing this for a while to raise money for charity and I just wanted to take it to the next level.

"I’m going to begin with the Brighton Half, with a view to breaking the full marathon record at the London Marathon this year. The current record for a half marathon with a fridge on your back is two hours 45 minutes and eight seconds - to be precise and I’m confident I can beat that.”

Sam is currently based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall and has chosen to raise funds for SSAFA throughout his record-breaking attempts, because of his passion for the military charity.

You can donate here: https://2023tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/man-vs-fridge

Sam says: “When you regularly must go away for long stretches, several months at a time, it really affects the family that is left behind.

“I have seen that SSAFA is there to help your family, in an emergency, when you aren’t able to, and I think this work is so important and I want to help.”

The minimum weight for the fridge, according to the Guinness World Records, is 25kg. Sam’s fridge currently comes in at 26kg (roughly speaking, the same weight as an average eight-year-old), but it is not the weight that is an issue.

According to Sam: “The thing with a fridge is that it’s bulky and the weight isn’t close to your back like a backpack or bergen would be. So, the physics of it means that 26kg is more difficult to carry.

“The other problem is that, when I go out for practice runs with the fridge, I can’t go more than ten minutes without being stopped and asked what on earth I’m doing. So, for normal training, I’ll just carry weights.”

Falmouth Packet: Sam Hammond with 'Fridget Jones' Sam Hammond with 'Fridget Jones' (Image: Supplied)

Sam has other things to worry about too. He has very recently had an operation to remove a lump from his chest.

Sam said: “It was a benign lump, so not too bad, but all the stitches are right where the straps for the fridge go. It couldn’t have been at the worst time, but I think it will be fine.

"I have rested up for a while, which has actually been the most difficult bit as I’m not used to being still, and am rearing to get back to training.”