POLICE officer Tex Freeman is proving to be the strong arm on the floor as part of a year-long challenge.

PC Freeman, who lives in the Taunton area, is spending 12 months completing 22 push ups a day to raise thousands of pounds for troops suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

He is more than two months into the daily ordeals and has so far attracted pledges totalling £1,230 towards the £5,000 he hopes to bring in for the charity Combat Stress once he's finished the 8,030 press ups.

Somerset County Gazette:

He has so far flexed his biceps at his base at Bridgwater Police Station and in the centre circle before kick off at Huish Park, home to Yeovil Town.

PC Freeman, 50, a member of 40 Commando Royal Marines for 12 years before joining the police 17 years ago, said: "I know a number of former colleagues who have had combat stress.

"They've seen a lot of terrible things and they've found it tough coming back and trying to adjust to civilian life.

"Doing 22 press ups a day isn't necessarily hard. It's just taking the time to do it.

"I do them at various times of the day and in various places and hope it raises awareness and lots of money for Combat Stress."

Somerset County Gazette:

The idea came from the 22 Push Up Challenge in America, with celebrities taking part and then nominating someone else to take up the mantle after 22 days.

PC Freeman is no stranger to physical challenges in aid of charity - he did a similar number of press ups for 144 days, has run London Marathons and cycled 300-mile Olympic bike rides.

You can sponsor him at justgiving.com/fundraising/tonyfreeman and follow his progress on Facebook at texgiving 22 365 or Twitter @tex3820.

Somerset County Gazette:

Somerset County Gazette:

Somerset County Gazette: