Those of you that know me, may not think of me as an athlete and you are correct in your thinking! However this year (Matthew) I am going to be not only an athlete but a TRIATHLETE!! Since January I have been out there running/swimming and cycling most days of the week, and it has NOT come naturally and in fact I have had a sense of humour failure many many times.

So why am I doing it? Well last year as many of you are aware, our bff Clare was diagnosed with a rare condition called hypoparathyroidism following complications from a thyroidectomy operation. It has had such a major impact on her life in every aspect (although she continues to smile through it!). I had never heard of it before, but now see it to be such a life limiting condition that seems to be severely under researched, under supported and underfunded. Whilst there's little I can do to physically to help Clare; both myself and Deds (Claire Roy/Dedman) have signed up to do a SuperSprint triathlon on 1st June at Blenheim Palace and would like to raise sponsorship to put towards a brilliant charity that helps provide research, support and raising awareness of this often crippling condition. https://parathyroiduk.org/about-us/

Claire and I are lucky enough to be able to do this (so I have to keep telling myself!). It’s not a big triathlon but its big for me and if I can do something to help this amazing charity which has offered Clare so much support and advice over the last year then it’s worth a bit of pain and possible humiliation! Please give whatever you can (however big or small) to try and make this all worthwhile!