A GRANDAD who has broken more than 52 world records has now achieved his ultimate goal -- one million press ups.
Tommy Gildert, 59, of Halifax Road, Briercliffe, reached the staggering total in front of a home crowd at Turf Moor after more than 20 years of completing 100 press ups every day.
The fitness fanatic reached the milestone when he completed his final 100 push ups to reach the magic target during half-time at the Burnley v Derby match.
Tommy, manager at the gym at Colne Sports Centre, has been breaking world records since 1977 when he completed 1,314 press ups in just 30 minutes, again at Turf Moor. He has gone on to get his name listed in the Guinness Book of Records nine times and has broken more than 52 world records.
In 1979 he completed 269 one arm press ups in ten minutes and later the same day followed this up with 10,000 in just four hours.
In 1985 he became the first man in the world to complete a 24-hour stint of press ups when he managed 24,000.
And in 1988 he ran from John O'Groats to Lands End and completed 37,000 press ups on the way.
He has raised more than £150,000 for various charities including Children in Need, Cancer Research and Leukaemia Research.
Tommy, who has three children, Caroline, 37, Anthony, 35 and Chris, 19 and two grandchildren, also raised more than £300 on Saturday.
He said: "I was originally going to try for the world record in completing one million press ups, but various things came up along the way so I just thought I'd reach the target in my own time. Although its taken a fair while its a great achievement and was wonderful to get there in front of a standing ovation at Turf Moor and to raise money for charity at the same time."
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