Local runner, Stephen Metson, from Sible Hedingham, is participating in the Iron Man in Italy on Saturday 19 September to raise funds for Owls and Birds of Prey Rescue – Suffolk and Essex, a local charity based in Gestingthorpe.

Stephen started running in 2018, to get fit and healthy and began with running 5k and 10k distances and then advanced to running Marathons. He has completed Marathons in Amsterdam, Manchester, London, Berlin, Chicago and Halstead! He has enjoyed running so much that he has now graduated to Triathalons and Iron Man events. September will be his first Iron Man competition. The event takes place in Italy. The Iron Man challenge features a 2.4 mile swim followed by a 112 mile bike ride and finishes with a 26.2 mile marathon – ALL to be completed in ONE DAY!

Stephen is hoping to raise £2,000 + for the Owls and Birds of Prey Rescue Charity, based in Gestingthorpe. Stephen has known Stephanie Callister-Jarrold who runs the charity for over 12 years and so admires the work that she does with injured and orphaned owls and birds of prey, with the aim of getting them back into the wild. Whilst running, Stephen has become so much more aware of wildlife, especially birds of prey and wanted to support Stephanie in her work of rescuing and rehabilitating Owls and Birds of Prey. He is aware that the Charity receives no official support and Stephanie is doing lots of talks and fundraising at local events most weekends to cover the cost of looking after the 130 + birds she rescues each year.

Stephen and Stephanie are pictured with baby Tawny Owl Gosfield who was found on the ground at local wedding venue Gosfield Hall and is one of the 11 Tawny Owlets currently in her care in one of her aviaries. The money raised will go towards rebuilding her existing Flight Aviary once the new, enhanced Flight Aviary is completed – it only needs the wire fitting and perches attached and it is ready to go. Having two Flight Aviaries will make such a difference for the birds as Stephanie likes everyone to spend time in the Flight Aviary to ensure their flight muscles are fully developed and they are in the best possible condition to be released back into the wild. Any support for Stephen in this brave new venture would be most gratefully received. Thank you.

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