Lancashire firefighter falls short of weightlifting record

Glen Bailey was raising funds for a friend's rehabilitation and the Fire Fighters Charity

A firefighter has fallen short in his bid to break a world record for the most weight deadlifted in 24 hours.

Glen Bailey, 42, was attempting to lift a total of 600,000 kg (944 stone) in bouts of 60kg each time - amounting to some 12,000 reps in total.

He needed to lift more than 580,220 kg to pip the current record.

But Tommy Snape, owner of SAS gym in Leyland, said Mr Bailey fell short with a still-impressive 478,140 kg after beginning at 10:00 GMT on Sunday.

A deadlift sees the lifter haul up a heavy barbell from the floor to waist height, using predominantly the leg muscles.

The challenge was in aid of The Fire Fighters Charity and Mr Bailey's friend Clint Grieves, who suffered spinal injuries in a fall.

Mr Bailey works as an industrial firefighter with Mitie Emergency Response Service and as an on-call firefighter with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, based in Darwen.

He said: "I really enjoyed the challenge. I got something really good out of it myself - while raising a lot of money.

"I unfortunately missed out on the record, but I'm over the moon I completed the 24 hours.

"I knew there'd be challenging times and times I felt like giving up, so I was prepared for that, but it's just about having that mental strength to carry on."

Glen Bailey had great support including from fellow firefighters

Mr Snape said while Mr Bailey could not quite beat the current Guinness World Record he was "amazing" and "in all our eyes he is a champ".

"I couldn't think of doing any worse exercise," he said.

"It is hard enough staying up 24 hours but to lift and shift that weight. It is a big challenge."

Mr Snape said it was "very emotional" in the last 10 minutes of the challenge when Mr Bailey's son joined him "deadlifting 20kg in time with him".

He added: "He's worked so hard in training and had great support in the gym with people cheering him on and he has raised good money for two very deserving causes."

As well as the charity, Mr Bailey said he wanted to raise much-needed money for the rehabilitation of "my good friend, former work colleague and training partner Clint Grieves".

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