Thanks to everybody that has donated so far. The response has been amazing. Shortly off to Bolton to finalise preparation. Thanks again and if anybody else feels like donating it would be very much appreciated. Roll on Sunday, the butterflies are here!

Hi all thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

18 months ago I had entered IMUK 140.6. At the start of this year i had to have a knee operation so I had to cancel that one. i had decided to enter IMUK70.3 but after spending a few months training and a few extra places becoming available at Bolton I transferred my entry. I am in full swing of training and really looking forward to the challenge. 

So why am I doing this? There are many reasons but the main ones are; 

1) I like challenges, (I already have a wife, 3 beautiful children a demanding job and a healthy thirst for fitness).

2) I want to be a better triathlete.

3) I want to do some good for charity, (charities that I have witnessed the good that they have done, and believe in their causes).

I remember being a child and seeing the Rotary tractor pulling Santa's grotto at Christmas, Santa giving out presents for donations. That image and excitement stayed with me forever. It is only later in life that I realised the good causes Rotary supports. 

Together Rotary and Ironman jointly support Childrens Hospices, Life Education centres, Cancer Charities, Air Ambulance and Help for Heroes. All fantastic charities I am sure you will agree. 

The midlands Air Ambulance alone requires £6 million per year to keep the service running. It responds to an average of 4 incidents per  day! I was amazed that Air Ambulance was even a charity! 

I am unfortunate enough to be a witness to the negative effects of Cancer, after losing my Father 6 years ago. Many of us have experienced losing someone close to this awful disease. Cancer charities do fantastic work, from research, to respite care, and support for grieving families.

Help for Heroes is a charity set up specifically to help servicemen and women who have been injured whilst serving our country. H4H offers support, rehabilitation, raises money for Medevac, helps to support families, offers employment training, re-housing and many more important and needed services. 

The work these charities do is second to none and again is reliant on the charitable donations of people like us. 

I am prepared to take up the challenge of an Ironman triathlon , I am prepared to put in the training (which will be up to 17 hours per week at it's peak!) so hopefully you can be as generous as you can afford and make a donation to support these excellent causes. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thanks for reading, I hope I haven't rabbled on too long! I will update this page as my training progresses and I focus on some different money raising activities. 

Thank you

Paul