Pig farmer aims for one million press-ups for charity

An East Yorkshire pig farmer with Parkinson’s disease is inviting people to join him in a collective challenge to complete one million press-ups throughout January, raising money for Parkinson’s UK and England Boxing.

Richard Longthorp, a 71-year-old farmer based near Howden, took up boxing in 2022 to help manage his Parkinson’s, a condition he was diagnosed with eight years ago.

Mr Longthorp is now taking on a new challenge after his success in January 2024, when he completed 32,000 press-ups and raised £22,000 for Parkinson’s UK and England Boxing, to help fund coaching sessions and boxing classes for people with the condition.

See also: Farmers achieve great feats for charity in first half of 2024

This year, his goal is to complete 10,000 press-ups on the final day of January, culminating in a collective total of one million press-ups, with participants encouraged to join him to complete this ambitious mission.

“The main aim is to get as many people participating as possible,” Mr Longthorp said.

He stresses that this challenge isn’t about competition, but about personal achievement.

“I would rather 1,000 take part doing 30 press-ups a day and raising say £30 each than a handful doing loads.”

Targets

Participants can choose their own daily press-up target, making the challenge accessible to people of all abilities, with alternative options like wall press-ups available for those who struggle with conventional ones.

Richard is hoping to inspire boxers, boxing fans, and anyone else interested in raising awareness and funds for Parkinson’s UK.

“I’m really hoping lots of people will get involved and help raise as much money and awareness as possible,” he said.

Participants can track their progress in a WhatsApp group, where they’ll post their daily press-up tally, allowing Mr Longthorp to monitor the overall total.

Mike Bromby, head coach at St Paul’s Boxing Academy, has been working closely with Richard since he began boxing.

He said: “Richard shows a determination, strength of character, and sheer bloody-mindedness that means he won’t back down from a challenge and he won’t stop until he has completed it.

“He’s a real force of nature and proof Parkinson’s doesn’t have to stop you doing anything.”

Boxing has proven to be beneficial for people with Parkinson’s, improving strength and coordination while slowing the progression of symptoms.

Anyone wishing to sign up for Richard’s one million press-up challenge can visit this website for more information.