Canberra's Jess Cameron plans on lifting more than 4000kg to break Guinness World Record and raise money for Integra Service Dogs Australia

To be exact, on Saturday she wants to surpass the current Guinness World Record for the heaviest sumo deadlift in one minute by a female of 4009.57kg by at least 400kg. It really is the type of number that's so high that it makes you do a double-take.

"A sumo deadlift sees your feet are out quite wide and your hands are quite narrow, so you make like a wedge and just lift up and down, and then that's pretty much what I'll be doing for 60 seconds," Cameron says.

"The range of motion is - because your legs are out wide - you have like a smaller range of motion, so it makes it easier. The current record for the sumo is 49 reps at about 80kg."

It goes without saying that Cameron isn't taking on the challenge on a whim. She started doing weight training in her thirties, and has competed in the Strongman Games internationally.

But, as Cameron started to approach her 40th birthday - which was in February - she realised that she wanted a new challenge. And she wanted to do it at the same time as raising $30,000 for charity Integra Service Dogs Australia, more than $18,000 of which has been achieved.

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"I wanted to do something that was a bit out there," she says.

"So I came up with breaking a world record, and then at the same time, I didn't want to just make it about me. And that was how I came up with Integra Service Dogs Australia, who I had encountered in a role when I was working at Department of Defence.

"They had almost like an open day at Russell offices a few years ago, and they bought their dogs, which was the main drawcard. Then I got to meet some of the handlers and hear their stories."

Integra Service Dogs Australia works with veterans and first responders and their families suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder by enriching lives through highly trained canine guardians.

Cameron's goal of $30,000 will go towards the training of an assistance dog. It takes between six and 12 months and between $30,000 and $40,000 for a team to prepare for and complete the Public Access Test. This support includes dog food, veterinary treatments, obedience training, training equipment and other documentation.

"I have worked in the Department of Defence, and with military people. My husband is ex-navy, and we have a circle of serving and former-serving members," Cameron says.

"And not that I've had it happen to me, but I know of people who have experienced mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of their service. My husband also has had a friend who was a former policeman who actually died by suicide last year.

"So I have these kinds of connections and when I saw the open day with the dogs and the handlers, I realised what an amazing contribution this organisation makes by thinking these labradors are great companion dogs and these people need help to go about their daily life."

To donate go to isda.com.au/jess-cameron-world-record-attempt.

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