Parkinson's golfer plays for 1,200 days in a row

Tony Bruce has played golf almost every day for more than three years to raise money for Parkinson's disease research

A golfer with Parkinson's disease has played the sport daily for more than 1,000 days in a bid to raise money and help his condition.

Tony Bruce, from York, was diagnosed in May 2019, shortly after his wife noticed his tremor.

Acting on advice to stay active, Mr Bruce picked up his golf clubs and set himself the ambitious challenge to play a round every day.

On wet days, he took to the driving range and golfing studio to meet his target of hitting 50 balls.

Speaking to BBC Radio York, Mr Bruce explained the act of swinging a club had helped with his mobility.

Although he needed a trolley to transport his equipment, he said: "(When I'm) socialising and my hands are doing something, the tremor just seems to disappear.

"It’s mentally tiring when I’ve got it because the shaking is so infuriating.

"I’ve got to the stage now where I have to do something during the day to alleviate sitting there shaking."

Mr Bruce is able to control his tremor when he plays golf

Mr Bruce said his condition had become harder to control over time.

"The first time I went out, the tremor wasn’t that severe and I was able to control it mentally," he said.

"As it’s gone on, it is far more difficult and now it is creeping in if I relax the slightest bit while I’m on the course."

He explained that he had to put his arms under tension while swinging the club to stop the tremor.

"It’s been a challenge, especially during the winter, but it’s four hours where the tremors and other side effects of Parkinson’s don’t worry me and I’m relaxed," Mr Bruce added.

'Very grateful'

Mr Bruce also raised almost £7,000 for Parkinson's charities.

Although there is no cure for the disease, he wanted to support research and encourage others with Parkinson's to get active.

Mr Bruce organised 18 holes of golf and a charity auction at the York Golf Club on Monday to mark three years since beginning the challenge.

A waterlogged course meant it took place on the 1,205th day rather than in April.

Mr Bruce said he would be raising money for Sport Parkinson's, which helps sufferers to manage symptoms through exercise.

He hoped that ticket sales and auctioning off 64 golf balls would raise upwards of £6,000 for the charity on the day.

The funding would enable Sport Parkinson's to organise sporting events and provide grants to improve the lives of people living with the disease.

“I’m just very grateful. It’s not just the cash, it’s the support from people when they’ve heard my story," Mr Bruce said.

"They’ve enthused me to continue for as long as I can, which will come to an end."

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]