Soldiers compete with shop staff in push up marathon for sick children.

The Spires shopping centre in High Street, Barnet, has joined forces with the RAF regiment for the One Great Day charity push-up challenge on June 16.

The day raised more than £5000 for a selection of children’s charities, including Great Ormond Street Hospital and Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers said: “I was hugely impressed by this fundraising event at the Spires.

“It must have been exhausting for all the participants but it was worth all the effort because of the money raised for two wonderful charities.

“The buzz and activity generated by this marathon press-up session was also a good way to bring people to the local high street.

“I want high streets in my constituency to thrive and this kind of initiative is very welcome.”

A team of six Spire staff, captained by centre manager Shaun Wall, test the limits of their strength and endurance with 20,000 press-ups.

Members of the elite parachute-trained 2 Squadron of the RAF competed with the staff to see who could finish in the fastest time.

Shaun Wall said: “To have raised more than £5,000 for charity is a great achievement and we’re delighted to be able to help a number of worthy causes.

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

“It wasn’t easy, and while the team was aching from all the press-ups, the weeks of training were worth it.

“Special thanks to people who cheered us on and to the II Squadron for coming down and making Saturday a day to remember.”

The RAF regiment finished first with a winning time of 3 hrs and 50 mins closely followed by Team Spires’ 3 hrs and 55 mins.