FORMER Royal Marines commando Jono Hill has set himself a new challenge — to carry a 50kg fridge around the Island.

Jono, 41, of Binstead, intends to complete the 106km feat in 24 hours, over the weekend of May 5 and 6.

Asked why he has chosen to carry a fridge on his back, he said: “A washing machine weighed too much. We’ve taken the gas cylinder out of the fridge, but it is still a big heavy lump.”

Jono is raising money for Mountbatten, formerly known as Earl Mountbatten Hospice, after he was inspired while undergoing treatment for post traumatic stress disorder on the hospice site.

He said: “After 15 years, my career was cut short due to injuries sustained on active duty. I have fractured my neck twice and have had complete shoulder reconstruction.

“I decided I’d like to do my bit to help the hospice and I thought of the fridge challenge. It will no doubt throw up some real hurdles for me due to the injuries I still carry to this day, but that is nothing compared to what the families that pass through the hospice have to endure, which gives me the motivation to crack on and achieve it.”

Jono, now re-trained as a Level 4 personal trainer, is being helped with a training package from Crossfit Incursion, physiotherapy support from PhysioCare in Ryde and sponsored training equipment from Love Running in Newport.

The fridge has been supplied by Earl Mountbatten Hospice shop in Newport and adapted to carry by Andy at Ryde Inshore Rescue.

To support Jono, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/islandfridge