When we talk about Tar Barrels, Strong Man, gruelling challenges, and determination in Ottery, the name of Lee Strawbridge comes to mind.

His love for this town and for the world-famous event that takes place every 5th of November is unparalleled. Lee's dedication is demonstrated by the many challenges he has undertaken to raise funds for the Tar Barrels Committee, which is crucial in organising and preserving this iconic event.

His resilience is a testament to his unwavering spirit and determination. Despite a severe accident in 2014 that could have ended his career, he bounced back with determination. After breaking 19 bones, including his back, neck, ribs, and collar bone, and puncturing a lung, Lee returned to the Strongman arena nine months later with a metal plate in his collar bone and emerged victorious, reaching the finals of England's Strongest Man U90kg in 2017.

Born into a traditional 'barrelers' family, Lee is a familiar face in town that brought the Ottery Strongman competition to the Land of Canaan. The event showcased the participants' strengths and fostered a strong sense of community and camaraderie among the spectators and competitors.

Many will recall the passion, pain, sweat, and glory of the last Strongman-friendly exhibition Lee organised for Pixie Day at the Land of Canaan this year. Also, the mammoth challenge Lee took in 2021 up Chineway Hill, adding over £2000 in support of the Tar Barrel and Carnival Committee when, on a wet October morning, Lee walked 1.6 miles up Chineway Hill carrying different weightlifting items, including an 80kg atlas stone and, of course, an oak barrel. Lee hoped to pull a vehicle, but the weather made him opt for a tractor tyre flip instead.

Lee once said to me that taking challenges was within his nature and that the love he has for his family is the incentive he needs every day to gain his children's respect and to set an example for them, or any youngsters who want to follow in the footsteps of so many previous barrelers and Strongmen competitors. He certainly has kept to his word, as on the 16th of August, Lee will be facing his latest challenge when carrying an oak barrel to the top of Snowdon.

I met with Lee, who said about this challenge: "I've chosen the Llanberis walk path as the gradient is less steep, but it's a mile longer. The walk is 4.5 miles up. I have no idea how long it will take, but I know I will make it up. I've been training walking up East Hill along with flatter, longer walks; the longest was 9 miles, which wasn't nice for the neck afterwards!

"The weather will play a big part as I will be completely exposed to the elements. I'm hoping for a dry, non-windy day, but it will be windy at the top, whatever. The terrain will also play a big part; from what I've seen, it will be a mixture of grass, gravel and steps. I've been training on the road and lately made it –with the barrel - to the highest points in Devon, High Willhays Tor and Yes Tor. It was a tough climb carrying a barrel, but I made it in a pretty good time.

"I've received great support so far, including lots of support from people in cars when they see me out walking with the barrel.

"I've got a few friends and family members who will be supporting me on the walk, which will be great when things get tough."

The Ottery Community, with its rich history of support for events like Tar Barrels, Carnival, and the Ottery Strongman Competition, is now called upon to support Lee's new challenge.

If you wish to donate, please visit Lee's GoFundMe page.

Lee has also set up a Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1249869999333945 to update you on his training. Keep an eye out for Lee during his training walks around town.