Dave Fenton is fundraising for The Fire Fighters Charity

Dave Fenton's Fundraising Page

Austria Ironman

on 05/07/2009

Now officially an Ironman!

Photos (2)
- How can you resist that grin?!

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Raising money for

The Fire Fighters Charity

Charity Registration No. 1093387

Every 30 seconds in the UK fire fighters are called to an incident, risking their lives to save others, but sadly they often sustain physical injuries whilst carrying out their duties.

The Fire Fighters Charity is here for fire fighters during their times of need. The Charity offers vital support services across the UK for all fire fighters, assisting in excess of 17,500 individuals every year.

Our modern, dynamic and award-winning charity has three UK centres, located in Cumbria, Devon and West Sussex, which provide therapy, rehabilitation and recuperation facilities. Our pioneering Beneficiary Support Services offers local and remote assistance to fire service personnel in need nationwide – providing solutions to real life problems.

It costs over £9 million every year to keep the Charity running, and with no government funding, we are completely reliant upon donations and fundraising, so your support is very much needed.

To find out more, please visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk.

Page owner

Dave Fenton

RSS

Raised: 190%

Target: £1,000.00
Raised so far: £1,895.00

Donate now

My story

Hi Everyone,

Have I told you my story? If not you are in for a treat so I hope you are sitting comfortably... (only joking!)

In February 2008 I had an accident while on holiday in Switzerland. While walking back to our chalet I slipped in snow and ice, knocked myself out and then fell 4 metres vertically onto concrete. I suffered multiple life threatening injuries, I was in a coma, my lung collapsed several times and I sustained around 22 breaks to my bones (skull, jaw, clavicle, sternum, ribs), the hardest part though was the brain injury. Following excellent treatment in Sion Hospital with my wife Lou by my side I was flown back to the UK. It was believed that if I did survive I would be in a permanent vegetative state so of course I had to defy the odds!

Over the following few months I worked as hard as I could to get myself back on track. The hardest thing to overcome was the brain injury as this controlled everything so I had to learn to walk and talk and eat etc. This is where the Fire Fighters Charity came in. I did have excellent support from my team of nurses and medical professionals but the Fire Fighters Charity are the ones who helped me back.

I spent a number of weeks at their rehabilitation facility, Harcombe House in Devon where I was put through my paces. Being with other fire fighters who were also recovering from lots of different things made me more determined to get back to the job I loved.

The Fire Fighters Charity have been a support for me and my family since the day of my accident. They provided Lou with emotional and practical support while she was with me overseas and then on return they have been invaluable. This is why I feel it is time for me to give something back with your help.

From facing death to the Austria Ironman! I set myself this challenge for two reasons. Firstly I turned 40 this year so I wanted to mark the occasion and secondly it seemed an appropriate final stage of recovery and to raise funds for the charity that helped me so much. I am now an operational firefighter once again - where I belong.

In case you don't know the Ironman event is a tough challenge - nothing like making it easy and this isn't! The Ironman Austria takes place in Klagenfurt. I will start with a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike then end with a marathon, 26.2 miles - surely that deserves sponsorship ?!?

**UPDATE** I completed the Ironman event on Sunday 5th July in a time of 11 hours, 34 minutes and 25 seconds!!

Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far, it has been great to read the messages and I am so grateful for the generous donations. I am still trying to reach my target so now that I have successfully completed the event surely you could donate to such a worthwhile charity? It's still not too late to give, just click on the link :-)

This was a massive achievement, 17 months ago I couldn't walk, now I am an Ironman!

Anyway, thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Fire Fighters Charity gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks, and don't forget...its all about Dave!

ps message from Lou - how can you resist that cute grin?!

	Donation by Leigh Warr 06/10/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	My Sons, are both firemen and Ironmen Congratulations Dave your own FANTASTIC achievement :-) Donation by Teresa Reace 10/09/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Dave, with a blow to the head like that, I thought it might have knocked some sense into you?.....obviously not, well done buddy Donation by Steve Fox 03/09/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Donation by anonymous 03/09/09	£240.00 + £67.69 Gift Aid
	Donation by Peter Baer 29/08/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Donation by anonymous 23/08/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Happy 11th Wedding Anniversary Dave & Lou. Did you ever tell us your story?!!!!!!!! John & Denise Valency B&B Boscastle Donation by Denise Tillinghast 23/08/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Donation by Dave Fenton 12/08/09
	well done, liked the shirt change; it brightened things up Donation by sue and john crick 10/08/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	well done kid !!!! Donation by andrew probyn 08/08/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Hi Dave you had'nt mentioned u had done an ironman at fatigues you'll have to tell us all about it. (only joking well done matey) Donation by lee jones 02/08/09	£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid
	Well done mate Donation by Richard Houghton 29/07/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Sounds like a normal Saturday night in 'The Shot'! Well done Dave! No comms for ages then you're scrounging off me!! ;-) Donation by Pete Cukic 28/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Hi Dave. Congratulations to you you did really well. love uncle gerald Donation by gerald drew 25/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	absolutely amazing - well done you !!! Donation by the dawes family 22/07/09	£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid
	Well done mate, from now on it's all down hill, but knowing you, maybe not!! Donation by Ken Oliver 20/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Well done Dave, great acheviement and look forward to hearing about it next appointment!! Donation by Clare Wilkes 19/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	You're a true inspiration to us all. I've booked you a lecture room as we'd all love to hear a more in depth account of this Fun Run thing... Donation by Woody 19/07/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Well done Dave. Eventually got round to doing it Donation by tamsyn wade 19/07/09	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Donation by Anonymous 15/07/09	£250.00
	If this helps to put the story to bed its been worth it! Well done Dave ! Donation by Strat 14/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Donation by Anonymous 14/07/09	£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid
	Well done, great times ! Donation by John Bristow 13/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Nice one Dave, you have always been Fitty Fenton now you are Ironman Fenton all the best mate Donation by steve fincher 13/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Well done Dave - if anyone could do it it was you! All our love Gaynor, Kev and Elijah xx Donation by Gaynor Moreton 13/07/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Nice one Dave, try putting your back into a bit more next time, I'm sure you could trim an hour or two off that time. Donation by Rod Maiden 13/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Nice one Dave ;-) Donation by Daryl 13/07/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	I thought I'd make it up to £1000 raised as thats alot easier than doing the race this time last week was! Donation by Dave Fenton 12/07/09	£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
	Well done dog i hope you enjoyed it mate. All the best Tibbs, Emma and William. Donation by paul roberts 11/07/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
	Well done Dave!!!!! Keep on runing! Donation by carwyn thomas 11/07/09	£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donate now

* Total raised online:	£1,895.00
Offline donations:	£0.00
Gift Aid plus supplement:	£438.59

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.