Welcome to my fundraising page for Parkinson's UK. In 2025, I'm going to attempt to lift the Dinnie Steens to raise money for this important charity. Parkinson's UK funds important research to find a cure for Parkinson's and is there for every person affected by the condition. Together, we can find a cure.

Who even are you?!

My name is Chris Lovegrove. I'm an occupational therapist specialising in Parkinson's and other neurological conditions. I'm also a researcher, leading my own research to develop a new treatment for living well with anxiety and Parkinson's. More importantly, I am a nephew of a person with Parkinson's. My Uncle John sadly died in October 2023, and I want to do something to help the charity that helped him.

What are you attempting to do?

I want to lift the Dinnie Steens (Stones, or Stanes) in 2025.

What are the Dinnie Steens?

The Dinnie Steens are a pair of Scottish lifting stones located in Potarch, Aberdeenshire. They were reportedly made famous by the Scottish strongman, Donald Dinnie, who carried the stones barehanded across the Potarch Bridge. You can find out more history about the Dinnie Steens here and here.

The Dinnie Steens have a combined weight of 332.49. The larger stone weighs 188.02kg, whilst the smaller stone weighs 144.47kg. This is is a classic test of strength!

Why lift the Dinnie Steens?

In my work, people with Parkinson's have often reported to me the 'weight' that they and their loved ones carry with Parkinson's. From not being able to move in the way that they want to, to the metaphorical weight of living every day with an incurable neurodegenerative condition. My uncle described not being able to pick his feet up like he "had weights on them". Parkinson's has a profound impact on people's lives. Lifting the Steens, for me, will be doing my little bit to help and lift the 'weight' of the condition.

Why raise £3325? That's an odd figure!

My fundraising goal of £3325 is the combined weight of the stones rounded up.

When are you aiming to do this?

I'm going to do the lift in late 2025. It's going to take a lot of training, and I need to submit an application video of a 300kg lift to be able to apply for a place. This will require A LOT of dedication and training, so giving myself a 12+ month window will give me the best shot.

Will you be giving us updates?

Yes! I will be giving updates on this page and my social media pages at a rate of (at least) 1-2 posts a month. This will include training videos showing my progress towards the final lift.

I'm also in discussion with some fantastic companies about supporting and sponsoring my lift. Keep your eyes peeled for updates on those sponsors!

Thank you for taking the time to read my page. If you are in a position to do so, please consider giving, even just a little bit. Together, we can find a cure.

The JustGiving bit

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.