A FORMER prison chaplain, the Revd Vernon Lidstone, who is 82, is aiming to “powerlift” 200kg on Saturday — to raise money for an eco heating system in his parish church in Gloucestershire.

He has been training for a powerlifting competition and hopes to beat his record last year of 182.5kg to raise funds for an air-source heat pump to replace the failed oil-fired boiler at St Peter’s, Framilode, where he is a co-opted PCC member.

He will head to the Crazy Strength gym in Salisbury, where the competition is taking place, in the early hours to help to raise the £40,000 needed. “I’m not sure how wise that is, but I’ve got to try,” he said.

Mr Lidstone has attended St Peter’s for 30 years after previously serving as Chaplain of HM Prison Leyhill, near Wotton-under-Edge, and as the honorary assistant priest for the South Severnside Benefice.

He began his fitness journey 12 years ago, after hearing a fitness instructor, Patrick Ansley, talk on BBC Radio Gloucestershire about the importance for “senior” people to be active. He called in and arranged for Mr Ansley to visit the church.

Mr Lidstone now trains three times a week — twice in the church fitness class and once with Gloucester Powerlifters.

On his latest fund-raising venture, he said: “Three weeks ago, I went into the vestry, and the floor was sodden because the boiler had burst and was irreparable. We’ve got to raise the funds, and this will be a way to get that started. For me, this challenge symbolises staying active in later life, caring for the environment, and keeping faith at the heart of local life.”

Mr Lidstone, formerly an aircraft executive, has another interest shared by perhaps more of the clergy: he constructed a miniature railway in his garden.

justgiving.com/charity/StPeters-Framilode