RAF Wittering policeman and comrades lift the weight of the Red Arrows in charity challenge

Cpl Oliver Jinks’ grandfather, David Blease, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in July 2020 at the age of 71. The impact on Oli (22) was massive and he immediately started organising an event to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Oli said: “It was a Thursday evening and I got a call of my mum and she was in tears. I asked her what was up? And she said: ‘we think your granddad’s got pancreatic cancer.’ I just didn’t want to accept it.”

Mr Blease passed away in October, but Cpl Jinks’ determination to make a positive difference and honour his grandfather’s memory was undiminished. He said: “450 people die of cancer every day and I thought this isn’t okay. I wanted to change that.”

Oli was attested into the RAF in August 2017. He had initially thought of becoming a pilot, but instead chose the RAF Police. Oli said: “I like to help people and always do the right thing. Being in the police, that’s your core values really. It’s very important to always do the right thing.”

The combined weight of all nine red arrows jets is 32.65 tonnes. Oli and five of his colleagues from the Royal Air Force Police bench pressed the equivalent weight at the RAF Wittering gym, making sure that the weightlifting equipment was two metres apart.

The event had been originally planned for November, but the second lockdown forced a postponement until December 10th. Happily, weightlifting is Oli’s favourite exercise and neither he nor his teammates were put off by the delay.

Patrick Keely, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the East of England, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Oli is helping to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK with his amazing and unique weightlifting challenge. Cancer Research UK’s work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.”

The challenge was completed in an unbelievable 28 minutes and 13 seconds. As of 11th December Oli and his comrades have raised over £2900, just shy of their £3000 target. Oli said: “Thank you to all my mates who helped with this, they’ve done amazingly well, and we’ll have some sore chests and triceps in the morning – but still well done, it’s brilliant.”

Group Captain Jo Lincoln is the Station Commander at RAF Wittering. She said: “What an incredible effort from Corporal Jinks and his teammates, to bench press that much weight in such a short space of time is just outstanding. All of us know someone who has been affected by cancer, I am so proud that he has gone to such lengths to make a real difference. Brilliant work Corporal Jinks, well done!”