AN INPIRATIONAL man is preparing to help a Winnington gym owner lift one million kilogrammes and raise money for a charity close to his heart.

Kevin Garwood, 57, is a regular at RA Fitness where owner Ged O'Hara is is appealing to the community to join in the Million Kilo Lift event on Monday, March 28, in aid of St Luke's Hospice.

Ged explained that Kevin's part in the challenge is a real inspiration because he lost his sight completely in 2000, aged 42.

Kevin, from Lostock Gralam, said: "Ged told me he wants to lift one million kilos and I said yes, I'll do that with you," he said.

"I've lifted eight-and-a-half tonnes in an hour and my aim is to lift about 10 tonnes on the day towards the million.

"He's got people there that lift a lot more than me but he said 'here you are, you're blind, if you can do it anyone can'."

Kevin's sight loss was caused by an unexpected tumour in his pituitary gland, which irreparably damaged his optic nerve.

"The tumour haemorrhaged and grew very rapidly, which was very unusual – I went to bed with a headache and woke up blind in the morning," he said.

"It was a total shock.

"But because there was no warning I couldn't feel bitter.

"I couldn't think 'if only the doctors had done this' or 'if only I had done that', it was just totally out of the blue and that helped me to think forward and learn what I needed to learn."

After about a year Kevin decided he needed to do some exercise as he was putting weight on and joined a gym in Leicestershire, where he lived at the time.

He moved to Lostock Gralam with his wife in 2008 and joined LA Fitness, only leaving when the gym restructured, which meant staff were not available to guide him around the equipment.

A friend then put him in touch with Ged, at RA Fitness, in Winnington.

"You can't help but be swept up by Ged's enthusiasm," Kevin said.

"He's a really genuine guy and extremely safe."

He added: "I don't want to walk around looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger, I just want to be fit enough to take my guide dogs for walks."

Ged, who is fundraising for St Luke's Hospice in memory of his mum, hopes people of all abilities will come to RA Fitness to take part in the attempt on Easter Monday.

"Essentially it's going to be a free workout for anyone that comes through the door," he said.

"It's not just about the people who are involved in the gym, it's about them bringing people along who have probably never even been to a gym.

"We want to make it as inclusive as possible.

"There will be four coaches on the day so if you walk in and you've never lifted before someone will be there to show you how to do it and you'll have 15 or 20 minutes of knowledge to help you lift these things."

The day will also include a DJ, hog roast and barbecue.

To sponsor the challenge visit justgiving.com/1000000kg-Lift