A 56-year-old man from Bushey will be setting a world endurance benchmark record for the use of battling ropes.

David Baum, of The Studios off Rudolph Road, will be taking up the DROP Challenge 2015 to raise money for charity on Sunday, February 15.

Battling ropes are 50 feet cable ropes that weigh approximately 26lbs and to use them, you hold one end of the rope in each hand and by moving them in a whipping motion you create waves. Battling ropes help improve your core strength.

Mr Baum said: "Having seen the ropes being used on programmes such as The Biggest Loser, I was delighted to find that when I joined NRG Watford gym that they had a set of ropes.

"The first time I tried the ropes I managed a 45 second session before I was exhausted. However, the next session was one minutes and every time since I have managed to increase the time.

"I was surprised to discover that while there were a number of programmes available, nobody has set a benchmark time."

Mr Baum, who is a company director, will be attempting to set a benchmark record of at least 60 minutes.

He hopes that this event will allow him to raise money for three charities that he has a close connection with.

The first is Great Ormond Street, where Mr Baum's youngest son, Oliver, had life saving surgery there when he was nine months old.

The second charity is the MS Society - Mr Baum's brother was diagnosed with the condition in his early 20s and has had much support from them The final charity is Cancer Research. "Unfortunately our family has been devastated by unwelcome visits from this disease," he said.

"My wife, Melanie, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998 and is now in remission. Her sister, Denise, who has been the subject of two bouts and likewise is in remission.

"Unfortunately too many have not been as fortunate, including my mother Ruth, and Mel's father Tony."

Mr Baum added: "Unlike last years' Ice Bucket challenge I do not expect people to take up battling ropes, I would like to ask that people sponsor my attempt and pass on the details of this event to your friends and family."

To donate money visit: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DavidBaum.