Many , many thanks to all who have donated. Your generous efforts and kind words of encouragement carried me through a very tough day to complete the course in a fantastic 12h46m06s. Individual splits were:
Swim 2.4miles - 1hr (200th / 2500 competitors)
Bike - 112 miles -6hr52m (1600/2500)
Run - 26 miles 4hr33m (843/2500)
Overall 1084th place / 2500 ( I like to finish in the top half 
)
I was targeting 13 hrs so I am 'over the moon' as they say. many thanks one and all
** This page will run until August when I will have passed the final off-line donations to ECHO **
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. ECHO is doing great work for children and families of children with Heart conditions. Please support them any way you can.
Our friends, Kevin and Debbie Houghton have a son called Ben born in April 2005. Pre-natal scans revealed that he had a serious heart condition and Doctors initially thought that only half his heart would develop. Against all the odds, at birth both chambers of his heart had formed but the left side was severely damaged. Ben had 3 separate operations in the first few months of his life to correct the condition by catheter ballooning. At the age of 2, Ben had open heart surgery to repair two of his damaged valves. The operation was such a success, (Ben was home from hospital in just 8 days) that it is now hoped further surgery will not be needed until his teenage years. As for now, Ben is a happy, boisterous 3 year old, who is totally unaware of what a remarkably brave little boy he really is!
ECHO was of great help to Debbie and Kevin throughout Ben’s time at St Thomas’s and continues to offer them, and families like them, advice and support. Their website can be found at www.echo-evelina.org.uk
Ironman France ( www.ironmanfrance.com ) takes place on 22nd June 2008 in Nice on the Cote D'Azur. At 6am I will join 1,999 other participants on the start line. The course comprises a 2.5mile sea swim followed by a 112mile bike then a Marathon to finish. I am hoping to complete the race in about 12½ - 13 hours. Your support for ECHO will help keep me going when the legs start saying "No !!"
Donating through this site is totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: ECHO will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
Many thanks again for your support, Kia Kaha !!
