Talk about putting your back into it.

Father of two Jake Best is running 16,850 metres with a bulky Dell PC from computer refurbishing company Refurbo strapped to his back.

The distance is the equivalent of running, or hiking, up Ben Nevis and back down.

The weight of the computer is about the same as a microwave or an average three to four year old child.

Jake, Operations Director at Clearwater Dynamics in Poole, is raising money for computers in schools, including St Clement’s and St John’s CoE Infant School in Boscombe.

He’s doing the challenge continuously, with no stops or rest periods, by running up and down a 25m slope, pictured, 337 times, a total distance of 10.5 miles.

The seven metre gradient is about the same as a runner would encounter on Ben Nevis.

‘To The Top And Back – The Ben Nevis Challenge’ takes place at the opening of the new ESA FTY Lab, the high-tech football inspired gym, in Branksome on Friday April 16.

Poole-based Refurbo is matching any funds raised up to a total of £5,000.

It’s also working with schools to supply top-grade laptops.

Jake, 36, has been training hard for the challenge despite undergoing a recent hand operation.

The ex-professional boxer and keep fit fanatic is training six times a week to ensure his physical and mental strength is at its peak in time for next week.

A team from Refurbo has adapted the Dell T1700 PC to eliminate soreness and rubbing during the run.

Adjustable straps and padding have been added to stop the computer bouncing on the incline and decline.

Jake said he was confident about completing his mission, despite the discomfort and extra weight, as the cause was close to his heart.

He said: “I suffered from lack of confidence, and still do around computers.

“Watching my daughters develop their skills so early, I wanted to help other children to achieve.”

After completing a test run – and even with his wrist in a strap – he reported: “Physically I felt good and the PC, and all additional fittings, were comfortable with no rubbing or sore spots anywhere.”

Leon Lindblad, pictured left, Refurbo’s CEO, said the pandemic had highlighted the need for children, schools and families to have quality devices in schools.

He added: “There was so much in the Press at the time about children and home-learning.

“I knew that, even after lockdown, children nowadays are just severely disadvantaged if they don’t have the right tools and equipment.

“My mother, a retired teacher, was really keen to support this cause and we teamed up with Digital Access For All (DAFA) and The Learning Foundation to see what we could do.

“When Jake came along it seemed a perfect way to launch our initiative.”

Refurbo plans for its involvement to be a continuing commitment and is hoping to persuade Jake to take on other challenges in the future.

The FTY Lab, on Branksome’s Poole Retail Park near John Lewis, will be open after the challenge.

Clients will be able to try and match Jake’s time or achieve their own personal best.

More information can be found at ftylab.com

• To donate please click here.
• A three minute video on Refurbo’s decision to get involved in To The Top And Back – The Ben Nevis Challenge can be found here. A behind the scenes look at the training can be viewed here.