It was 14 days of pain, but it was worth it for Aled Harries and co who have helped give the Crymych Community Project a serious boost.

Crymych RFC man Harries, 31, came up with the idea of the 14 day burpee challenge which entailed doing as many as possible in a minute on day one, two minutes on day two, and continuing that pattern going for 14 minutes on the final day (yesterday).

He was quietly hoping for about 10 people to join him, but by the final day nearly 40 were involved including Crymych RFC team manager Iwan James, former Welsh prop John Davies (now 51), Pembroke RFC skipper Scott Powell and renowned opera singer Trystan Griffiths. 

Funds raised for the Crymych Community project, which has seen local company Frenni Transport Ltd make protective visors for NHS workers and community members, stood at just over £7000 when the challenge started.

By the time the burpees had finished however, the total had exceeded £25,000.

“It has been fantastic and I didn’t expect it to go like it did. I’m overwhelmed by the support and it has helped bring the community closer together,” Harries told Telegraph Sport.

“The support has been something else and I can’t thank people who’ve taken part or donated enough.”

Indeed, along the way there were messages of support from the likes of Mike Phillips, Rob Evans, Wyn Jones, Max Bowden (who plays Ben in Eastenders), Bryn Terfel, Paul 'Silky' Davies, Shan Cothi, and Scott Quinnell.

Tom Turner produced the most impressive effort with a grand total of 1911 during the two weeks, including 247 on the final day. Only just behind him were former Crymych RFC players Elgan Vittle and Huw Rees – while Milford teacher Martin Edwards also produced a sterling effort and was in the top three much of the two weeks.

Another local teacher, Gethin Vobe (Ysgol Y Preseli) didn’t join until day 12, but racked up over 500 burpees during his three day stint and also made a sizeable donation.

Samara Hicks was the top performing female with 1206 overall.

But the initiative was about far more than the leading performers. So many of the local community were generous with their support - one example being the parents of Matthew Thomas who offered £2 for every rep he completed on the final day. His total of 156 saw them hand £312 over to the project.

And Harries, who himself passed 1200 during the 14 days, praised all involved.

“Everyone has been amazing and most importantly, has helped fund more protective visors which our NHS workers desperately need right now.”

You can donate to the Crymych Community Project here.