With the final beats of ’Africa’ hanging in the air, the Big Beat 2017 fund raising drumathon came to a crashing finale on Sunday.

The six drummers Martin Rigby, Jonny Peacock, Steve Leach, Andy James, Noah Egelnick and Andy James played continuously all weekend in the Promenade Suite at the Villa Marina, spending 53 hours in their drumstools during the charity event.

Supported by a team of volunteers who kept them fed and watered and a team of physiotherapists supplied by Align4Life, the drummers managed to beat their own personal record of 51 hours, set during the first Big Beat drumathon, held in November 2014, which raised £20,000 for Hospice.

The six were drained at the end of their efforts, which culminated in playing seven of their favourite songs from the weekend, including ’Unfinished Symphony’, ’Don’t Stop Me Now’ and ’Africa’, but Steve Leach said they were ecstatic with how the weekend went.

’It was tiring but amazing fun,’ he said. ’Having already done it once we were aware how mentally and physically tiring it was going to be, so it wasn’t an unknown quantity this time.

’Friday night is always the worst time. Saturday night was really good, because you know that when you are through that night you are on the home straight and heading towards the finish line.

’At times, like at 4am, there was just us in the room playing’ he said. ’You start trying to entertain yourself, and delirium sets in as well. Its funny and fun, and you do everything you can to keep yourself awake.’

They were helped out by guest DJs and the Ellan Vannin pipe band, with an expert display from drummer Garry Wray.

Organiser Martin Rigby thanked sponsors Pokerstars Helping Hands and all that had helped throughout the weekend.

’We haven’t counted up what cash we’ve raised yet,’ he said. ’But I’m hopeful we’ve raised a good chunk for Craig’s Heartstrong.’