MEMBERS of a gym in Stroud held a weight-lifting event to send a strong message of support to the community at the weekend.

The charity powerlifting competition called Stroud’s Powerful People was held at Anytime Fitness and ran throughout the day on Saturday.

Those taking part in the weightlifting helped raise £200 for Sunflowers Suicide Support, but members also wanted to provide an encouraging environment for people to challenge themselves.

Organiser Jeremy Drewett thanked everyone who took part: “It was a great success with some incredible lifts, amazing energy and so many PBs!

"Hopefully in the process we helped to further bring awareness to Sunflowers charity and show how willing people are to come together, uplift praise and support each other."

For the men Matthew Aldrich came in first with a combined total of 622.5kg and Lucinda Perrett took the crown for the women with a total of 337.5kg

Food was provided by Goodness Kitchen, and on hand to ease aching muscles were the team from MFL Sports who generously donated massages.

Afterwards a free party was held at PeriPeri Chicken in Stroud where members also celebrated the 3rd birthday of the popular gym.

More about Sunflowers Suicide Support visit bit.ly/sunsupport

Full results - the totals are top weight for each lift Squat, bench press and deadlift all added up.

Men:

Matthew Aldrich (1st) total of 622.5kg

Jamie Davis picked up injury during bench press (2nd) total of 605kg

Ebow Crankson (3rd) total of 595kg (only 18years old)

Martin Edwards (age 41) (4th) total of 525kg

Darren Newman (age 48) (5th) total of 360kg

Simon Stringer (5th) total of 360kg

Marc Smit (injured during squats) (6th) total of 330kg not including squats

Michael Healey (7th) total of 320kg

Women:

Lucinda Perrett (1st) total of 337.5kg

Hannah Brookes (2nd) total of 270kg

Aimee Hefferman (3rd) total of 260kg

Sally Dickinson (4th) total of 250kg

Gemma Carr (5th) total of 245kg

Alex Coughlan (6th) total of 242.5kg

Ginny Newman (7th) total of 240kg

Racheal Downy (8th) total of 157.5kg

Wilks winner: This is power to weight ratio.

Alex Coughlan 1st Woman

Ebow Crankson 1st Man