I will be attempting to complete the Hamburg Ironman on 4 Jun 23. This is a triathlon consisting of 2.4 mile (3.9km) swim, 112 mile (180.2km) cycle and a 26.2 mile (42.2km) run.  

By the time of the event I will have been training for a year, which was partially completed while I was deployed to the Democratic Republic of the Congo with work. (A lot of time spent on a running machine and Watt Bike!)

I will be raising money for Balkan Underdogs, a not for profit UK charity dedicated to helping the street dogs in the Balkans. They do this through working with volunteers both in the UK and the Balkan countries to rehome street dogs and cats in the UK and through a spay and neuter campaign to end the cycle of animal suffering. 

I chose this charity as this is where my own dog, Womble, came from. He has been a huge support to me though military life, often posted unaccompanied and away from family and friends. It was comforting while deployed to focus my training on supporting Womble's charity while I was separated from him for such a long period. (Meanwhile, he was having the time of his life on holiday with my parents!)

Balkan Underdogs does amazing work through the spay and neuter campaign and responsible rehoming with ongoing support to the animals throughout their lives. As a small charity, they are often low on funds to support their work so hopefully this will help a little! 

PS Those who know Womble will know he isn't too keen on exerting himself physically, so he's been supporting me from the comfort of the sofa!