A TEAM from Ringwood law firm Ellis Jones Solicitors tackled one of the UK’s toughest endurance challenges last weekend.

Managing partner Nigel Smith led a 20-strong contingent in the 2014 London South Tough Mudder, staged at Winchester on Saturday.

The 12-mile obstacle challenge is designed by British Special Forces and involves a series of physical and mental challenges aimed at testing competitors to the limit.

They include military-style obstacles, rugged terrain, steep inclines and water hazards on land described as resembling a medieval battlefield.

“We’ve tackled some tough physical challenges over the years but this has to be right up there as one of the most extreme,” said Nigel.

“Teamwork was the order of the day. We spent several months training for the event and, on the day, we all worked together to get ourselves around the course.

“Apart from a few limps and bruises, nobody suffered any serious injuries and a number of our team have already signed up for next year.

“The event really is an awesome challenge of physical and mental endurance and we all feel a fantastic sense of achievement in having overcome the challenge.

“The event consisted of a 12-mile run littered with 26 obstacles, the very first being Walking the Plank, which involved jumping from 20ft into a tank of cold water, so we were absolutely soaked from the start.”

The Ellis Jones’ team included partners Lauren Day, Sean McNally and Nigel Taylor, associates Kate Brooks and Sam Wiley, solicitors including Neil Cook and six trainees.

Nigel said: “Among other charities, we raised money for Help for Heroes, adding to the £1 million-plus raised for this fantastic charity by Tough Mudder events.

“I’m very proud of the fact that 100 per cent of our team finished – and that we have raised more than £1,000 for charity.”

Other members of the Ellis Jones’ team included lawyers from Dutton Gregory, Dan Tout, head of business services New Forest at accountancy firm Princecroft Willis and staff from property developer Ankers & Rawlings. Donations can be made at just giving.com/EllisJonesToughMudder/