A team of six retail staff members, led by the Spires’ centre manager Shaun Wall, were narrowly beaten by an RAF regiment team that included members of the elite parachute-trained II Squadron.

Each team had to complete 20,000 press-ups in the fastest time – and the RAF team finished in 3 hours 50 minutes, five minutes ahead of the Spires team at 3 hours 55 minutes.

Mr Wall organised the event to mark One Great Day, the UK-wide annual charity fund raising day (16.6.2018), and the Spires’ management company, Hunter Real Estate Investment, said their support demonstrated their commitment to the local community.

There were competitions for children, family entertainment and a silent auction for signed pendants from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur Football Clubs as well as tickets to see this year UK Strongest Man in St Albans.

We wanted to try and do something that was a bit different, and it’s paid off. The public response has been amazing

A total of £5,103 was raised for a selection of children’s charities, including Great Ormond Street Hospital and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.

The two comperes for the day were Mike and Mike – Michael Michelle and Mike Michaels.

Among those volunteering to help the Spires’ team with sets of 25 sets of press-ups was Wieslaw Kowalinski Viz, a warehouse worker, who lives with his family in Manor Road and who congratulated the organisers for arranging a well-attended fun day.

Hours later Mr Wall said he and the team were still aching all over from performing continuous press-ups, despite weeks of training.

“We wanted to try and do something that was a bit different, and it’s paid off. The public response has been amazing.”