Disabled Somerset strongman in epic 60kg stone lift challenge to fundraise for NHS

Credit: Just Giving

A disabled strongman from Chard in Somerset has set his sights on completing a mammoth charity lifting challenge to raise money for the NHS.

Gary Clarke is the UK's first ever disabled strongman and founded Britain's Disabled Strongman Competition.

This summer's event has been postponed until later this year because of the pandemic but Gary has decided to step up his training to help the frontline coronavirus fight.

More West Country fundraising heroes:

Gary lifts the giant stone between two steel drums while seated in his wheelchair. Credit: Gary Clarke

Watch Gary in action:

The challenge:

Gary will attempt to lift a 60kg stone ball between two steel drums 250 times in the space of five days.

This represents an enormous increase in his normal training routine, in which Gary does 25 repetitions in the space of a full week.

He will begin on May 11 and plans to finish on Friday, May 15.

Gary is undertaking his training from self-isolation because he has cerebral palsy.

Gary Clarke has set himself a fundraising target of £300. Credit: Just Giving

Cash raised will go to Love Musgrove, the official charity arm of Musgrove Park Hospital.

Each year the hospital treats over 450,000 patients through its emergency department, on its wards and through its outpatient services.

To donate to Gary Clarke’s NHS charity challenge, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/garyclarkenhs