Ottery’s strongman Lee Strawbridge has completed a mammoth challenge to help the Tar Barrels continue rolling through the town.

The 41-year-old builder, who actively takes part in Strongman competitions, walked a 1.6mile hill while carrying various weight-lifting items including an oak barrel. He had hoped to pull a vehicle as well but the weather was against him and so he opted for a tractor tyre flip instead.

Lee said: “I'd like to thank everyone that donated towards the challenge and helped raise more than £2,000 for Ottery St Mary Tar Barrels. I'd also like to thank Lewis Strawbridge, Dave Strawbridge, Neil Gooding and Lawrence Heavey for their support crew roles.
“I started the hill climb with a smaller tar barrel at 6am and finished at 7.59am with a much larger one! The weather wasn't the greatest but I was inspired by the amount of support received from the local community and knew I would reach the top. The hardest implement was definitely the 80kg atlas stone in the rain! Hopefully I will see a lot of the people who donated at Ottery’s Strongman 2022 competition. Thanks again and I hope everyone has a great Barrels Night.”

Andy Wade, President of Ottery Carnival Committee, said: “Lee has been part of the carnival family since a small boy carrying his first barrel, his organising of the Strongman competition and now his latest feat of strength up Chineway Hill. He has added well-earned funds for the Ottery Carnival and Tar Barrels in a year when so much disruption has made fund raising difficult. Our Committee would like to thank Lee for all his efforts and long may they continue.”

You can still donate towards Lee’s challenge by going to: https://gofund.me/f4da23ff