Team Hester are taking part in these Iron events on 16/ 17 July 2016 in Bolton.  Bea and Will are competing in the IronKids run (1km and 500m) and I am competing in the IronMan UK triathlon - a 3.8 km (2.4 mile) swim followed by a 180 km (112 mile) cycle followed by a 42 km (26 mile) run.

This is about the same distance as: swimming from near the Priory at Tynemouth around the coast to near the Spanish City in Whitley Bay; then cycling to Huddersfield; then running to the centre of Manchester.  It takes something like 8,000 - 10,000 calories to fuel the distance.

I completed this event in 2014 with a time of just under 14 hours 30 mins which I'm hoping to beat this year.  There is a very special feeling when you've just finished a 7-hour bike ride knowing that you've got a marathon to do next.

Bea (7) and Will (4) are keen to become triathletes when they are older - they are already Mini Great North Run veterans.  Penny (1) is a keen supporter ringing her cowbell.

Sadly, Bea and Will's Granny was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, an incurable and life-limiting neurological illness just over a year ago. She is currently being looked after at St Ann's hospice in Little Hulton, Manchester. The team there provide excellent care and support for her and the wider family, and are working to try to enable Granny to go home with the ongoing support she needs.

Annually St Ann’s hospice cares and helps around 3,000 patients, as well as their families and carers, who are affected by cancer and non-cancer life-limiting illnesses. They deliver care that is unique to each individual person.  Around 40% of inpatients return home after treatment. Care is provided on 3 sites as well as in people’s own homes, working in partnership with acute hospitals, primary care trusts, community services and voluntary organisations. 

Services are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week by specialist staff. St Ann’s hospice employs around 400 members of staff and are helped by around 800 volunteers. Their care is free of charge but they have to raise £16,000 every day so their specialised staff can provide the highest quality care.

St Ann’s is a charity which only survives through money it can raise throughout the year.  The service they provide is amazing and really important for those people who find themselves needing it. Any amount you can donate will help provide vital care and support for those using the hospice.

Thank you for reading my just giving page, and if anyone wants to support us on the day in Bolton it will really help us keep going!