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To commiserate turning 40 this year(!) I have decided to undertake a number of new challenges over the next 12 months….40 to be precise!
In recent years I’ve taken part in many running and cycling events,  including cycling from London to Paris, but have purposely not raised any money for charity, partly because I’m conscious people already give to various causes and also as I had this idea lurking in the back of my head.

I have compiled a list of 40 things that I’m looking to do throughout the calendar year in which I turn 40. These include two major events:

• London Marathon in April
• Ironman Triathlon in September.

Although the other events might not be quite so physically demanding, I’m under no illusion it will be a tough year! The full list of my 40 at 40 is:

1. Sleep Rough
2. Learn a new language 
3. Raise £4,000 for charity
4. Cycle up some of the Alps
5. Give up alcohol for 40 days - this could be tough!
6. Run the London Marathon - come on legs
7. Start yoga
8. Become an organ donor
9. Go to an open air concert
10. Go paragliding - eek
11. Run the 3 peaks
    
12. Help out at a soup kitchen
13. Complete the Empire 100 Greatest Movies
14. Watch a film in the open air
15. Write a poem
16. Go on a road trip in a VW camper van
17. Complete an obstacle running event
18. Create a time capsule for the girls
19. Race the Sun Lake District event
20. See a Shakespeare play at the RSC
21. Buy a canoe and canoe along the River Avon
22. Go on holiday with old friends
23. Learn to dance
24. Make my own beer
25. Go to a festival
26. Get an article/photo published
27. Be an extra in a movie/TV show
28. Donate blood
29. Visit a 1st/2nd World War Memorial
30. Go wild swimming
31. Put my phone down every night at 9pm
32. Read a life changing book
33. Go on a father/daughter camping trip
34. Create a family tree
35. Cook a curry from scratch
36. Take the scenic route
37. Fly a kite - its been too long!
38. Make a food dish with a fish I've caught, something I've picked in the wild
39. Document the 40 At 40
    
40. Complete an Ironman Triathlon.......

I’d like to use this as an opportunity to support a local charity so I can make a difference for an issue that’s been troubling me for a while, so I’ve decided to donate all money raised to St Basil’s. For those of you unaware of St Basil’s, this is a Birmingham-based charity that offers help and hope to homeless young people between the ages of 16-25. Every day I walk past people living on the streets and wonder how best to help them. I know sometimes simply giving money is not actually the most appropriate response, so by doing something like this I know St Basil’s will be able to best use whatever money I can raise and put it to good use.

To add a bit of fun I’ve decided people can donate against a specific activity if they wish to, or simply give a general donation, all is welcome!

I’m really excited about embarking on this challenge, the people I hope to meet along the way and the memories it will create - but I have to say I’m pretty anxious too. I’ve always done a lot of running, mainly 800m around a track! More recently I’ve taken up cycling but I’m currently the
least fit I’ve ever been and also had a recurring calf injury for about 5  years that always comes on as soon as I run close to 10 miles, or a bit faster than normal and I never run on roads these days. So I have to be honest in saying that, whilst I promise to give it maximum effort, only injury will prevent me from completing the more physical activities. My other concern is the amount of time and effort I will need to devote to the tasks. I will have to balance this with a busy day job while ensuring I do not neglect my young family, so I would like to apologise in advance to my wife Kate for the time this is going to take up and ask for a bit more of her wonderful patience!

So this is a request to you all for your support. If you feel as though you would like to sponsor me, please do, it will make a huge difference! I also need some teammates on some of the activities so if you want to join me let me know!

You can keep track of how it’s all going through my personal
Instagram @rossdiggitty or Twitter accounts @ross_fittall

All support would be most welcome.

Best

Ross

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