Strongman to pull fire engine through Fareham shopping precinct

The Canadian-born muscleman will be pushing himself to the limit by pulling a 15-tonne fire engine, single-handedly through Fareham’s shopping precinct.

Jacob, who already holds a Guinness World Record for his strength, will go against 80 children from the Fareham Heathens Rugby Club and more than a dozen adult players from the team.

The effort will take place in West Street on Saturday, May 27. Children will begin their effort at 11am, with the 15 adult rugby players tackling the 30m pull at 1pm. Jacob’s solo bid is at 3pm.

The 24-year-old from Horsham, who is a member of the Our Saviour Lutheran Church, in Furzehall Avenue, Fareham, will be tackling the feat for the Fareham and Gosport Basics Food Bank.

Jacob: ‘This is a pretty extreme thing to do to your body.

‘When you’re pulling a 15-tonne fire engine you get horrible, horrible bruising. But it really is the best test of all-over strength because you’re having to use every single muscle.

‘It puts an incredible strain on your heart – your heart could give out if you’re not used to it. A lot of people need oxygen and feel physically sick after.

‘And your feet take a terrible beating. There’s a lot of pressure on your toes and they get terrible bruising.

‘But when you have a gift you have to use it to do good.’

Jacob has already tackled similar shows of strength. When he was 17, he pulled a school bus single-handedly.

In 2016, he set a world record for the heaviest vehicle pull with his brother Matthew – dragging three fire trucks, totalling 87 tonnes, 100m.

His dad Kevin – a Lutheran minister – has set 26 world records for his strength.

Jacob’s latest effort has been organised by Fareham fire station and supported by the town’s Lutheran church. Firefighters from the station will be on hand during the day to offer safety advice to locals.

Crew manager Dave Higgins is helping to organise the day and said it was ‘fantastic’ to have Jacob’s support.

Watch manager Simon Whelan added: ‘It’s quite awe-inspiring really what Jacob is doing and what he will be going through to help the community to help charity. It’s very impressive.’

Firefighters will be on the scene in West Street from about 9am until 4pm.