Dave’s Extreme Triathlon 2006

A Trio of Totally Death Defying Tasks

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

In September 2006 I am going to be doing what some may consider to be my maddest challenge to date. I will be performing a triathlon of tasks on one day. I will be tackling a very new and unusual escape featuring chains, handcuffs and a cage, then taking part in a free fall parachute jump and finally I will be juggling fire clubs – the twist is that the juggling will be blindfolded! There is no doubt that this is a massive challenge for me but I am doing this to help raise money and awareness for steps.  Being someone with club foot I know full well the issues that people can face as a result of club foot (see my in depth ‘story’ below). I also know how important it is to have steps there campaigning for future generations of children affected with problems such as club foot.

steps is a national charity that receives 5000 contacts each year from individuals and families with children affected by a lower limb condition such as club feet or hip problems. 

They offer helpline, online support and information to parents who are desperate to help their child walk and individuals who have a lower limb condition by helping them to get the right treatment and support.

steps doesn’t take walking for granted, so should we? 

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Steps Charity Worldwide will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you or steps!

Many thanks for taking time to look at my page; I hope it has inspired you to donate? If so please sponsor me now! Don’t put it off!

Thanks once again.

Dave “SPARKY” Matkin

  

  

  

If you are interested in knowing a little more about me and why I am involved wit steps please read on:-

Why me and why escapology?

I was born with Talipes (club foot) in 1975 and have had many surgeries to try to correct my feet. The most recent of surgeries was in 2004 on my left ankle which is now fully fused. My right leg is not as bad but is slowly deteriorating and will eventually need more major surgery to completely fuse that one as well.

When I was very young I was introduced to the world of Magic by one of the nurses looking after me. I was hooked! I got into magic and illusion in a big way - it was something I could do when I was laid up in bed recovering from surgery as well as when I was “up and about”. As I grew up I lost interest a little but when working on an American summer camp I met a professional magician and clown who restored my interest and enthusiasm for the rather unusual hobby.

In 1997 I had 2 more surgeries (one on each foot) and was laid up for a few months. I did lots of reading that summer! One of the books I read was Houdini’s biography. I became very interested in the world of escapology and started to wonder if I could possibly do this incredibly challenging and physically demanding form of entertainment. I got some more books and started to learn about the art of escaping and soon found that, as long as I adapted what I was doing so that I could keep off my feet as much as possible, I was capable of escaping from all kinds of things (Rope, chain & padlocks, straight jackets and of course handcuffs!).

Then in 2004 my left ankle collapsed and I was in agony 24/7 right up to the date of my operation – that was possibly the hardest 4 months of my life with my feet so far. I spent a lot of time on morphine – which made me feel sick but at least the pain was more bearable (although not gone completely).

October 2005 saw me slowly returning to “normal” and an opportunity came my way to prove once more that I could still ‘escape’ (despite my feet) and raise awareness of steps. I took part in a world record setting attempt with 130 escapologists’ world wide. We were trying to set a new record for the largest escape artist event ever. The event was a success and a lot of publicity was gained for steps.

Since then I have been asked to perform at several charity events – which have all gone very well so far. The time has come to try and gain some more publicity for steps and at the same time raise some funding at the same time.

Steps has started to offer parachute jumps as a fundraising activity for individuals to take part in. As of yet no one has taken up the challenge. At a meeting several weeks ago someone jokingly suggested I did it whilst doing an escape. This was a great idea but unfortunately health and safety will not allow it! So instead the staff at steps came up with a new challenge!

Once again donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Steps Charity Worldwide will receive your money faster and, if you are a taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you (or steps).

So please sponsor me now! 

Many thanks for your support.

Dave “SPARKY” Matkin