A PWLLHELI steel bender who is the current world number one in his sport is using his skills to break 20 world records for charity and has so far raised over £750.

Reuben Hughes, who is from Llangybi, is raising money for the Wales Air ambulance, Alaw Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital by breaking steel bending and steel breaking world records.

With support from World of Grip, a group which organises steel bending competitions and follows world records, Reuben started breaking records in December and has so far completed 10.

He hopes to complete all 20 by March.

Reuben, who started competing in steel bending competitions in 2017, told the Cambrian News about his efforts and why he has chosen to raise money for three charities.

He said: “I chose the charities because my family has been involved with all three in the past.

“My daughter has scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. She has an operation at Alder Hey at the end of this month.

“There’s almost no-one around here who hasn’t come into contact with the air ambulance or Alaw Ward.”

The recording of world records during the pandemic has been problematic, as Reuben explained.

“It’s been a challenge. I would usually do them at an official event with judges there to assess the record.

“I’ve needed to send in a very detailed video of each attempt to the judges to prove I have achieved the record.

“I have done a few records so far which involved snapping six inch nails.

“The one I’m most proud of is snapping as many nails as possible in one hour. I snapped 105 nails in 52 minutes, I could have done more but I ran out of nails. The previous record was 56.”

Reuben confirmed that he is working with S4C on a Guiness World Record attempt due to take place at the start or March, but said this is still in the planning stage.

To donate to the Wales Air Ambulance, visit www.justgiving.com/­Reuben-Hughes1

To donate to Alder Hey children’s hospital, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/reuben-hughes2

To donate to the Blue Sky North Wales charity, which supports Alaw Ward at Ysbyty Gwynedd, visit www.justgiving.com/Reuben-Hughes3