It started off as a challenge to raise £1,000 for local care homes – but at Milford Haven RFC they just kept pushing, and pushing, and pushing.

The club originally set out with the intention of completing 36,000 press ups in a five day period. Players started off doing 30 minute stints with videos uploaded to the club social media pages – with three participants each day doing their shift live on Facebook.

But after a barnstorming first two days the challenge gathered momentum and soon there were coaches, former players, committee men, sponsors, and juniors all taking part as donations flooded in.

There were also messages of support along the way from the likes of Scarlets coach Brad Mooar, and former Welsh international Dan Lydiate and Gareth Delve.

And after the original amount was exceeded with time to spare, the club set revised targets of 50,00 and then 60,000 press ups and sure enough, a mammoth effort on the final day saw the total finish at 69, 288. Chairman Mike Edds even chipped in with 10 himself to help round off a superb team effort.

And most importantly, as of this morning more than £7,100 had been raised to support care homes currently under immense pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“The whole five days has been fantastic and I’m just in awe of what the boys have done,” Edds told Telegraph Sport.

“They are mostly young lads but they all stick together and everyone at the club is proud at the way they smashed their targets.

“The number 36,000 was originally decided on as our care workers are doing three 12 hour shifts on and three off, so it was to represent the 36 hours they get through in three days.

“But the final number achieved is just huge. The whole town can be proud of the boys.”

Player coach Steve Martin led from the front each day even when donning fancy dress for one session, as did club captain Dan Birch. Another amusing spin off saw the father and son duo of Alan and Dan McClelland go head to head on Saturday evening while the likes of James Trueman and Brandon Cooper managed to get their numbers in whilst in work. Andrew Williams meanwhile, made his contributions immediately after night shifts.

But it was very much a group effort with all involved pushing themselves hard.

“The boys have dug in big time,” said Martin.

“It’s amazing really. No one wanted to let each other down.”

Head coach Nathan Williams, who himself took part, added he was happy with the start to ‘pre-season’ – “it’s been an incredible effort, what a team.”

Sure enough, while there will be some sore arms and chests this week, The Mariners can take pride in a week where they really showcased how sport can help the local community.

The GoFundMe page will remain open until midday on Wednesday, and anyone wanting to donate can do so here.