Hi there all,

I hope this message finds you well and in good spirits!

Thank you for arriving at my JustGiving Fundraiser page for The Habbit Factory. The information below has been repurposed for my next challenge but please, read on to find out more about my time with this amazing charity, what they do and what I'm looking to achieve in support of them.

The Habbit Factory:

I have been volunteering with a charity organisation called The Habbit Factory since April 2024. THF is an inclusive arts/theatre organisation that runs theatre clubs and activities for infants, young children and teenagers of all backgrounds and needs. THF is a true embodiment of the word inclusive; an organisation not solely aimed at working with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities members, but to helping anyone looking to grow their confidence, to learn and grow with new people and friends. and to belong to a community that cares about the person you are beyond anything else.

Currently, THF service 169 members a week across our Monday to Friday classes in hubs across Havering, and this number doesn't include any of the people we service through our Education outreach programme. We have many objectives as an organisation but ultimately, we want to create a safe, encouraging environment where anyone could join and find themselves accepted and welcomed.

Further information on the organisation can be found on our website here:

https://www.thehabbitfactory.org

The Habbit Factory YouTube page has many videos of our members and volunteers. Please use the link here to have a look! https://www.youtube.com/@TheHabbitFactory/videos

Why THF and my third Charity Challenge:

I've worked with THF now for over three years now and it continues to be one of the most rewarding experiences I've committed my time and energy to in my adult years. I am forever grateful to have been given the trust and opportunity to work with the wonderful kids we support throughout the year. The charity has become an important part of my life and has helped aligned me with goals and ideas that go far beyond myself. The time I give to these kids, staff, and volunteersis paid badk a million times over for everything it gives to me.

I've built wonderful relationships with the staff, the volunteers and of course the kids too. From performing on stage, to working with the team for Children in Need and other organisations, I'm grateful to be a part of something so meaningful to so many people.

Following the huge success of my Double Marathon Challenge on the 1st March 2025, completing 52.52 miles in 12 hour 53 minutes and run/walking over 101,000 steps over the course of the day, as well as completing the National Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours 5 minutes on the 23/24th September 2025, my target of £10,000 raised for the Charity is still in play. I am extremely grateful to everyone who has donated a total of £5,342 during my first and second challenge, and I hope to raise just as much if not more for this challenge, bringing me closer and closer to achieving the £10,000 target I set in 2024 when I begun this fundraising journey.

So… WHAT IS AN IRONMAN 70.3?!

An IRONMAN 70.3 is a long-distance triathlon consisting of three disciplines, completed consecutively in a single day. It starts with a 1.2-mile (1.9km) open-water swim, followed by a 56-mile (90km) cycle, before finishing with a 13.1-mile (21.1km) run, otherwise known as a half marathon!

That’s a grand total of 70.3 miles (113km), with the clock ticking from the moment I enter the water until (hopefully!) I cross the finish line.

To give you some context, the swim alone is the equivalent of approximately 76 lengths of a 25-metre swimming pool. The cycling distance is roughly equivalent to riding from London to Brighton, and after completing both of those, I’ll still have a half marathon to run… because apparently swimming and cycling for several hours isn’t enough! 😂

Now, the furthest I’ve cycled in training is 25.4 miles, meaning I’ll be attempting more than double that distance on race day, having already swum nearly two kilometres in the sea! I’ve also never competed in a triathlon before, so this will be an entirely new experience for me… In typical Ben fashion, why challenge myself to one discipline when I can attempt three in the same day? 👀😅

My preparation hasn’t exactly gone to plan, and I’m certainly not approaching this as an experienced triathlete, but that’s what makes it a challenge! I’m under no illusion about how difficult this is going to be, but I’ll be giving it everything I have to make it across that finish line.

Fund Raising and Sponsorship Opportunities:

Over the last four years, THF's revenue has been mostly made up of grant funding. This enables the organisation to run but does not allow much flexibility in how this money is spent as grant funding comes with conditions and parameters for spending. Every pound I raise from donations can be spent how the organisation pleases and in the last four years, the most that has been raised is just over £10,000 in one year. I want to smash this target and it'll be with the kind hearts of you lovely people that this can be accomplished. THF has many costs, some of which are covered through grant funding to support the production and running of our yearly shows, specialist staff who have experience and knowledge to support our Special Educations Need and Disabilities members, as well as covering the annual membership costs for 62% of our members who would not be able to afford to attend otherwise.

Noting this, we are very open to working with companies, corporations and individuals that are interested in working alongside The Habbit Factory as a sponsor. Sponsorship can benefit us in many ways, whether it's covering a portion of our show running costs, putting funds toward events for our children, covering venue costs supporting membership costs, the list is endless but all will be gratefully received and we hope we can offer impact to you as a Sponsor in a mutual-way!

Further information can be shared on request to see where you might want to make a greater difference. Please contact me on benj@thehabbitfactory.org to discuss and thank you again for your consideration!

Please note, donations through sponsorship AND direct are tax deductible and 100% of the donated amount will go straight to the Charity!

If you have read this far, I really really appreciate you taking the time to read my message and fingers crossed, consider donating no matter how small you can contribute. This wonderful organisation deserves all the support they can get and if it means doing two marathons in one day and climbing three mountains in one day to support them, so be it. Help me help The Habbit Factory and support what we do!

Thank you very much, have a lovely day/evening.

Ben x