A SOLDIER’S wife hopes to have raised thousands of pounds for charity – and get her name in the record books – after pulling a ten-tonne Army truck at Colchester’s Merville Barracks.

Paula Ireland, 32, dragged the military vehicle, used to transport troops and ammunition, 100 feet completely unaided.

More than 100 family and friends lined the roadside as Mrs Ireland completed her challenge at the barracks on Saturday.

A damp surface led to a faltering start as she struggled to get a grip on the tarmac.

But Mrs Ireland, who is just 5ft 5ins tall, got the camouflaged lorry rolling on the second attempt and was cheered over the finish line.

She now has to wait to see whether she can enter the record books for completing the heaviest truck pull by a woman.

She said: “I’m really happy to have completed it. I won’t be doing it again anytime soon, though!

“Once it got rolling I had to try hard not to slip because my shoes are so sheer and the surface is quite greasy. I’m still accepting money from sponsors and we want to raise as much as possible.”

She hopes to have raised more than £2,000 for Blesma, a charity which cares for servicemen who have lost their sight or limbs while out on tour.

Her decision to support the charity was inspired by a friend who was injured in Afghanistan. Her husband, Corporal Adam Ireland, who is a section commander in B Company 2 Parachute Regiment, currently out on tour, also inspired her to take on the challenge.

Having completed it, the crowd went to celebrate at the Fox and Fiddler pub, which promised to donate 5 per cent of its drinks total to the cause.

To sponsor Paula, visit charity antics.org