Pig farmer's £20k press-up fundraiser for St Paul's boxing club
Some of the £20,000 raised by a pig farmer with Parkinson's disease during a press-ups challenge will help a boxing club stage more classes for people with the illness, an academy has said.Richard Longthorp, 71, from Howden, East Yorkshire, led a group of volunteers to complete 750,000 press-ups in January.A share of the money he has raised has been donated to two boxing clubs including St Paul's Boxing Academy, in Hull, which was presented with a cheque for £8,750 last month.David Garness, chair of the trustees of St Paul's Boxing Academy, said the donation was "vital" to enable the club to "help more people in the community".
Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition that affects about 153,000 people in the UK.Mr Longthorp was diagnosed eight years ago and took up boxing at the Hull club in 2022 to help manage his symptoms.He later helped set up a dedicated boxing class for people with the illness called Parkinson's Punchers.Following his daily 1,000 press-ups challenge in 2024, the farmer went on to set a new goal with help from volunteers.
"We didn't quite reach the one million target, but managed around 750,000 which was quite an achievement," said Mr Longthorp."For me, the most important part of the challenge wasn't the final number, it was the personal stories which have come out of it. People pushing themselves way beyond what they thought they were capable of."Some of the proceeds are also being donated to Goole Amateur Boxing Club, England Boxing and Parkinson's UK.Mr Garness said: "St Paul's is a wonderful place. As a boxing gym, we have been producing champions since the 1940s and continue to do so to this day."But the club also helps countless people who will never box professionally, but just love the sport."He said the funds would help the boxing club stage more classes for people with Parkinson's.
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Wales Online
8 hours ago
- Wales Online
Full list of 57 health conditions that entitle you to £441 DWP monthly payment
Full list of 57 health conditions that entitle you to £441 DWP monthly payment The DWP has 57 medical conditions that could qualify you for a monthly payment Households with people having certain medical conditions might be eligible for a weekly payment to help with care (Image: inyourArea ) Families with certain health conditions are being encouraged to see if they're eligible for a crucial support payment. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) lists 57 medical conditions that could make you eligible for a monthly payment of £441.60 The DWP offers an attendance allowance to individuals whose disability is severe enough to necessitate another person's assistance for care. The sum you receive is contingent on the level of care your disability requires. If you're physically or mentally disabled, or of state pension age or older, you might qualify for this payment. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here What is attendance allowance? Attendance allowance is a benefit provided if your disability is so severe that you require someone else's help for care. It's paid at two different rates, and the amount you receive depends on the extent of extra care you need. Attendance allowance isn't dependent on your earnings or savings, and it doesn't cover mobility needs. However, other benefits you receive can increase if you get attendance allowance. The lower rate is awarded if you require frequent assistance or constant supervision during the day, or supervision at night. Article continues below The higher rate is granted if you need help or supervision both day and night, or if a healthcare professional has indicated that your life expectancy may be less than 12 months. The amount you can be awarded has risen from the last year, and the revised amounts will be as follows: Higher rate: £110.40 weekly (Up from £108.57) Lower rate: £73.90 weekly (Up from £72.66) What health conditions could make you eligible for attendance allowance? The DWP provides a list of common health issues that might qualify you for attendance allowance. They are as follows: Arthritis Spondylosis Back pain – other/precise diagnosis not specified Disease of the muscles, bones or joints Trauma to limbs Visual disorders and diseases Hearing disorders Heart disease Respiratory disorders and diseases Asthma Cystic fibrosis Cerebrovascular disease Peripheral vascular disease Epilepsy Neurological diseases Multiple sclerosis Parkinson's disease Motor neurone disease Chronic pain syndromes Diabetes mellitus Metabolic disease Traumatic paraplegia/tetraplegia Major trauma other than traumatic paraplegia/tetraplegia Learning difficulties Psychosis Psychoneurosis Personality Disorder Dementia Behavioural disorder Alcohol and drug abuse Hyperkinetic syndrome Renal disorders Inflammatory bowel disease Bowel and stomach disease Blood disorders Haemophilia Multi system disorders Multiple allergy syndrome Skin disease Malignant disease Severely mentally impaired Double amputee Deaf/blind Haemodialysis Frailty Total parenteral nutrition AIDS Infectious diseases: viral disease - Covid-19 Infectious diseases: viral disease - precise diagnosis not specified Infectious diseases: bacterial disease – tuberculosis Infectious diseases: bacterial disease – precise diagnosis not specified Infectious diseases: protozoal disease – malaria Infectious diseases: protozoal disease – other/precise diagnosis not specified Infectious diseases - other / precise diagnosis not specified Cognitive disorder - other / precise diagnosis not specified Terminally Ill Unknown How can I apply for attendance allowance? To apply for attendance allowance by post, click here. You'll receive notes along with a form guiding you on how to complete it. Send the filled-out form to Freepost DWP Attendance Allowance. There's no need for a postcode or stamp. You can also apply for the attendance allowance online by clicking here. Article continues below You can also call the attendance allowance helpline to request a copy of the form in different formats, such as braille, large print or audio CD. The helpline number is 0800 731 0122 and it's open from 8am to 6pm. Discover everything else you need to know about attendance allowance by clicking here.
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
National charity launches new wellbeing and exercise podcast to help more Edinburgh communities get active for summer
A new podcast from Parkinson's UK is aiming to help more communities across Edinburgh and the surrounding areas to get active for summer. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Parkinson's UK has launched a new podcast called Get Active Stay Active to help more people living with the condition embrace physical activity. Delivered by specialist content creators, 1FitLife, with support from the Parkinson's community, each episode brings together healthcare and exercise professionals and guests with a connection to the condition. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Being physically active is shown to be one of the best ways for people to live well with Parkinson's, and for some, it can be just as important as the right dose of medication. 'Get Active Stay Active with Parkinson's UK' is aiming to help more Edinburgh communities to get active in 2025. The new podcast series is now available on all the main podcast platforms. It features advice, tips and guidance and also challenges some of the myths around physical activity and Parkinson's. Hosted by podcaster and broadcaster, Denise Waterman, the Get Active Stay Active podcast covers a wide range of topics across its 12 episodes, from the best ways to get moving and increasing intensity, to choosing footwear and adapting your nutrition. Anna Castiaux, Physical Activity Programme Lead at Parkinson's UK, said:"We already know how important physical activity can be for someone with a neurological condition, including Parkinson's. The 'Get Active Stay Active' podcast is ideal for anyone at any stage of their journey, be it those looking to increase their level of activity or people just needing the ideas and inspiration to get going. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "It's been great to continue our partnership with 1FitLife and to deliver the new short series of podcasts together. Each episode focuses on a key topic relating to physical activity and wellbeing when you live with Parkinson's. "I would like to thank all of the contributors who took the time to join us in the studio or speak on video calls. Without their experience, expertise and support we couldn't have produced such a fantastic resource. I personally hope that more people living with Parkinson's will be able to use the podcast for advice and guidance if they are looking to be more active with the condition.' Jessica Overton, Managing Director at 1FitLife, said:'It's been amazing to continue working with Parkinson's UK on this podcast. At 1FitLife, we're all about making fitness feel more accessible, and this series is full of practical advice and the voices of those with lived experience. 'We know that starting – or keeping up – an active lifestyle with Parkinson's can feel daunting, our goal is to help you feel more confident, motivated and supported on your journey to staying active. It's been a real privilege to help bring these voices and ideas together.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You can listen to Get Active Stay Active on a number of podcast and streaming channels, including: For more information about the Physical Activity programme from Parkinson's UK, visit
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
New charity grants programme to help more marginalised communities in Edinburgh
A limited-time grants programme from Parkinson's UK is aiming to help more marginalised communities across Edinburgh to access more local services. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Parkinson's UK has launched a new physical activity grants programme for marginalised communities across the UK to help more people living with the condition to get active. The pilot grants programme will run from June to August 2025. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It will run in conjunction with the charity's established physical activity grants programme, which has been delivering funding of up to £3,000 for exercise professionals and local Parkinson's groups since 2021. Marginalised communities across Edinburgh and surrounding areas are now eligible for funding In that time, more than £700,000 has been delivered and more than 200 physical activity projects have benefitted from the funding. The grants for marginalised communities aim to deliver more innovative exercise, wellbeing and physical activity projects in targeted areas across the UK. They will also offer more opportunities for those in these communities to shape the future delivery and development of the Physical Activity Grants programme. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Funding of up to £3,000 is available for any of the following social groups affected by Parkinson's: Global majority (including all those who are previously categorised as ethnic minorities) People with other disabilities, be it a physical, neurodiverse or hidden disability People from a low socio-economic background People from the LGBTQIA+ community People from Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant communities Women The following community groups and organisations that support the Parkinson's community are also eligible to apply: Community-based not for profit organisations (including charities, CICs, and constituted community groups, excluding Parkinson's UK Local groups/branches) Community Amateur Sports clubs (CASCs) Community benefit societies and Co-operatives Social Enterprises Funding can be offered for exercise classes, consultation with the Parkinson's community and towards engagement events. Applicants will need to complete a brief project description and discuss their ideas with local Parkinson's UK staff and area managers. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Once they have spoken with a local Parkinson's UK representative, applicants will be invited to complete an application form. Selected locations across the UK are now eligible to receive funding if they work with Parkinson's communities from marginalised groups. A full list of these locations can be found by visiting the Parkinson's UK grants for marginalised communities page. Roma Hashim, Physical Activity Grants Manager at Parkinson's UK, said: 'We're really excited about launching the Physical Activity Grants for Marginalised Communities pilot programme this year. The Physical Activity Grants Programme was established to support the Parkinson's community and the leisure industry to develop and deliver opportunities to be active at a local and regional level. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'However, we've since recognised that there is an increasing number of people from marginalised communities getting a Parkinson's diagnosis who have limited access to support groups or programmes. 'Every grant aims to support people with Parkinson's from marginalised communities to engage in physical activity, to improve their wellbeing. Their insights will also help us understand their needs and shape the future development of exercise and physical activity from Parkinson's UK.' For more information about the pilot grants programme for marginalised communities, contact physicalactivity@ or visit
