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Man lifts 610 tonnes in a day in memory of fiancee

Grace Woodin Bradford
News imageJames Williams A man wearing a Nike beanie hat and a big coat and a woman with long blonde hair and glasses on the top of her head smile at the camera. They are standing on a beach.James Williams
James said Nicola faced her illness with "incredible strength"

The partner of a woman who died from cancer has completed a 12-hour weightlifting marathon to raise money for Sue Ryder in her memory.

Last Friday, which would have been Nicola Burton's 57th birthday, James Williams lifted, pressed and pulled 610 tonnes - beating his original target of 570 - one tonne for every year of Nicola's life.

Nicola, from Bingley, died in 2023 after she was diagnosed with melanoma, and was cared for at home by nurses from Sue Ryder Manorlands Hospice.

James said: "She fought cancer with incredible strength, positivity and grace, and I wanted to honour the woman who changed my life and whose death has left a huge hole in it. I miss her every single day."

James cared for Nicola throughout her illness, stepping back from work to be by her side.

"I'm a strong guy, but looking after someone you love through something like that - it hits you. You need someone to talk to. You need support. And Sue Ryder were there," he said.

News imageJames Williams A man walking through a gym holding heavy weights. He is wearing blue shorts and white T-shirt with a Sue Ryder logo on it.James Williams
James completed the challenge with a variety of gym activities

Around the time of Nicola's death, James saw Canadian fitness influencer Will Tennyson had lifted 1m lb (450 tonnes) and decided he wanted to do something similar.

"As Nicola was slipping away right in front of me, I knew that's what I would do and I knew exactly when I would do it," he said.

James performed a number of lifts across the gym to complete the challenge, using free weights, dumbbells, barbells and machines.

So far he has raised almost £15,000.

News imageJames Williams A bald man wearing a black suit, white shirt and black bow tie sits beside a woman wearing a colourful striped dress with long blonde hair. They are both smiling at the camera.James Williams
James said Nicola was the "love of my life"

He was joined in the challenge by friends and family, each taking one-hour sessions, and has been supported by Peter and Lisa Trotter, owners of Flacks Fit 24 in Bingley.

"The gym have been really wonderful and they've built up a really nice community and that for me has been really important," he said.

"It's been a place where I've been able to go just for probably an hour or five times a week and just to see people and talk to some friendly people as well," he said.

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