THE bells of Worcester Cathedral rang out at the weekend for a fundraising challenge. 

The cathedral’s bell ringers performed a full peal which lasted four hours between 10am and 2pm on Saturday, (January 20). 

The largest bell, weighing a massive two and a half tonnes, was rung by Chris Phillips who took part in the challenge. 

The 51-year-old, from Leigh Sinton, was diagnosed with Parkinson's and raised money for Parkinson's UK through the challenge. 

On the Just Giving fundraising page he said: "Since being diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2021 I decided to set myself a challenge incorporating my hobby of bell ringing with an attempt to ring the heaviest bell at Worcester Cathedral to a peal.

"A peal is continuous ringing for a sustained period of time (approximately 4 hours), something that I, or anyone that has a Parkinson diagnosis has never completed before on a bell of this size.

"Through doing this I wish to raise money for Parkinson's UK who do amazing research and support for anyone living with this disease."

David Bagley, a fellow bell ringer who has known Mr Phillips for over 35 years, said: "Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition causing problems in the brain which get worse over time.

"There is no cure.

"Instead of resigning himself to the fact that he’s got Parkinson’s, Chris is more of the opinion that Parkinson’s hasn’t got him, and he has been doing his very best to get on with life."

Mr Bagley said Chris worked on his fitness and stamina to prepare him for the challenge which he successfully completed.

The challenge raised more than £4,000 with a fundraising stall set up in the Cathedral for visitors to give donations raising even more cash.

Malvern Gazette: FUNDRAISING: The fundraising in Worcester CathedralFUNDRAISING: The fundraising in Worcester Cathedral (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS.

The main symptoms of Parkinson's disease include involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body, slow movement as well as stiff and inflexible muscles.

Parkinson's UK funds research into the disease as well as provides information and support to people living with Parkinson's and their families.

To donate visit rwrld.uk/mugn.