A Dorset business owner is undertaking the ultimate test of endurance to help a cancer charity and to inspire his children.
David Wood, a 35-year-old father of three, is competing in Ironman UK to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. The event, which takes place in Bolton on 20 July, will see 2,500 hardy competitors swim across a lake for 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and then run a full marathon.
David, who runs a business with his wife, has always been reasonably active and has completed a few short-distance triathlons, but Ironman UK is a much tougher challenge, both physically and mentally.
He has been training six days a week since November, sometimes twice a day.
“I took this on as a personal challenge,” explains David, “but I also want to be a positive role model to my children, and show them that normal, regular people are capable of achieving remarkable things with commitment, dedication and perseverance.
“As well as satisfying a personal goal, I want to raise as much money as I can for Macmillan Cancer Support. I have seen first-hand the immeasurable support they have given the family of friends living with cancer and I want to do my bit to make sure that Macmillan can continue to help as many people as possible.”
David is aiming to raise at least £1,000 in sponsorship for Macmillan and he has received support from Places for People Leisure, Ferndown, Pedals Cycle Centre of Ferndown, and One-Stop in Colehill.
If you would like to sponsor David, visit his Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/Dave-M-Wood/
