The man beating records after Parkinson's diagnosis

A man who has Parkinson's disease is trying to break as many records as he can to inspire others.

Lester Murphy from Notgrove, Gloucestershire, is a British war veteran who was diagnosed with the condition in 2024.

The 65-year-old has beaten several British and world records in indoor rowing in his age group, including for the 100m (328ft) sprint, which he achieved in 17.6 seconds through Concept 2, the manufacturer of the rowing machine he uses which also sets thechallenges.

"I want other people with Parkinson's - not just them, but everyone - to realise just because you have this illness and you are at this age, you don't have to keep looking out the window at the Grim Reaper," he said.

Murphy also holds the world record for the one minute continuous row - 309m (1,014ft) - and the British record for the four minute continuous row, which saw him rack up 959m (3,146ft).

The records are for the 65-69 age group and PR3 PD category, which is for rowers who have functional use of their leg(s), trunk and arm(s).

This category can also apply to people with up to three missing fingers on one hand, and Cerebral Palsy.

"The rowing machine that I use, the Concept 2, that's 25 years old, so I'm breaking records on a 25-year-old rowing machine," Murphy said.

"It's a testament to the rowing machine manufacturers and it's a testament to me. We're both old but we're both still breaking records."

Two years prior to his diagnosis, Murphy had symptoms including tremors, violent dreams, memory loss, and problems with his body temperature.

Murphy, who also has type 2 diabetes, said rowing and taking on the challenges has helped him both physically and mentally.

"I want to, by the end of the year, have the record for all of them in my category to show others that if you set your mind to it, you work hard and you train, everything is possible."

Parkinson's is a complex condition, Anna Castiaux from Parkinson's UK said, with more than 40 symptoms which include tremor, pain and fatigue.

She said being active for 2.5 hours a week can have a positive impact, physically and mentally, on people living with Parkinson's.

"Being active isn't about pushing limits; it's about finding what works for you and making it part of everyday life," Castiaux said.

"We thank Lester for being such an inspiration and raising awareness of Parkinson's, and we wish him all the very best with his record breaking."

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