Team members at a Dorset property finance specialist have achieved their most ambitious charity challenge to date – lifting more than a million pounds in weight over 24 hours.

Thirty-five colleagues at MSP Capital took part in the weighty marathon in their Poole office gym, raising dumbbells, barbells and other weights in aid of Forest Holme Hospice.

Working in shifts, participants of different ages and abilities lifted weights from five to ten pounds and upwards until they reached their collective target of 1,000,000lbs, roughly the equivalent of 85 JCB diggers.

They continued for the full 24 hours and in the end reached an impressive 1,586,847lbs – 58% over their original target.

More than 27,500 weightlifting repetitions were completed. The exercises that contributed the most weight were deadlifts, cable and normal, at 185,000 lbs, lat pull-downs at 118,000 lbs and a 1,000-rep challenge, weighing in at 117,000 lbs.

Sponsorship pledges, a complementary bake sale and an accompanying MSP Capital company donation take the total raised so far to more than £4,200.

The challenge had particularly heartfelt significance for Team MSP as Forest Holme cared for Sam Thomas, the son of Louise Thomas, Valuation Administrator at the firm.

Louise said: “The staff at Forest Holme did an amazing job making Sam and us feel calm and supported during his stay, not just medically but also emotionally. We cannot thank them enough for how they looked after Sam. Hopefully, by MSP Capital fundraising on their behalf, it will go a little way to say thank-you from the Thomas family.”

The challenge was organised by members of MSP Capital’s community committee under the firm’s ESG strategy, Foundations for Better Futures, which encompasses a commitment to support ‘people, community, industry and environment’.

Committee member Lucy Green said: “I’ve been lucky to be part of the community committee for a few years now, and each year our Christmas challenge pushes the team to new limits. This year was no different and it was incredible to see how many people from the company got involved."

“It even helped introduce people to the office gym who haven’t used it before. All in all a really successful 24 hours for a lovely indispensable charity close to all our hearts.”

Lucy’s sentiments were echoed by Paul Miracca, MSP Capital Managing Director, who said: “This was definitely a challenge for the team, but it was well worth it in the end. As always, we worked really well together and can be proud that everyone did their bit."

“I am especially proud of Louise, whose contribution to the team, and courage for her family, has driven this initiative for an exceptional cause.”

Poole-based Forest Holme provides emotional and physical support to families of people who have been diagnosed with terminal illnesses.

Community and Corporate Fundraiser Kirsty Perks said: “We are thrilled that Team MSP have supported Forest Holme with this incredible challenge, which is particularly impressive being so close to Christmas.

“We are so grateful for support like this from our community and the money raised will make a big difference to local people who need our care and support at the most difficult time of their lives.”

The weightlifting challenge was the latest in a series of annual charity initiatives Team MSP has completed. Last year, colleagues staged a 12-hour triathlon in aid of children’s charity Young Lives vs Cancer. Together they covered an equivalent distance of 330 miles using a treadmill, static bike and rowing machine at the Poole office gym, raising a total of £6,800.

In December 2021, more than 20 MSP Capital walkers completed a 24-hour treadmill climb to raise nearly £4,500 for Dorset-based children’s hospice charity, Julia’s House.

They each completed sections of a continuous hike at a 15% incline on a machine in the staff room.

The original aim was to reach a height of 17,460m, equivalent to Mount Everest and K2 - the world’s highest and second highest mountains - but in the end the climb surpassed that and reached more than 21,100m.

Donations in support of the weightlifting challenge can still be made on Just Giving here