Story
Triathlon club stopped, Swim club suspended, Running club cancelled, and all races on hold, but nothing will stop Ella Stewart and Sam Blackwell, two young Triathletes from Bury St Edmunds, using the sport they love to help others.
Under normal circumstances they would have a full week of training, attending sessions at West Suffolk Wheelers, West Suffolk Swim Club and Saint Edmund Pacers, but with lockdown in place this has all stopped.
They have seen the impact the Coronavirus is having on the whole country and wanted to do something to make a difference. So Ella challenged Sam, both 11years old, to complete a full Ironman Triathlon during the lockdown period.
The children decided to use the event to raise funds for West Suffolk Hospital's My WiSH Charity; the hospital where Ella's mum, Helen works as a Respiratory Physiotherapist and is treating patients with Coronavirus on a daily basis.
Inspired by Ella's dad Craig and Sam's mum Alison, who both represented GB in the European Age Group Duathlon Championship earlier this year, the children have been regularly keeping active during the initial phase of the lockdown.
The challenge will take them some time to complete as they won't be able to do it all at once. But they are well equipped to respect social distancing rules, with pop up pools in the garden to swim, and static bikes that will help them achieve their 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and a full 26.2 marathon run.
They hope to achieve their challenge by finishing with a run at the same time on Wednesday 6th May at the end of this next lockdown period.
My WiSH Charity enhances the care patients at the West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust receive. This comprises of; West Suffolk Hospital, Newmarket Community Hospital and community services in Suffolk.We fundraise for all wards, depts and services. We support everything from emergency to the elderly, bones to babies, and cataract to cancer care. You donate to the area closest to your heart.With a population of more than 280,000 people, raising money to enhance the care our community receives is vital, and that's why we need your help.