For reasons known only to my beloved wife and best friend (they hoodwinked me into signing up 🤣), on Sunday 1st June at circa 6am I will be entering the murky swamp waters of Hamburg to begin a day of activities adorned in loose fit lycra and smothered in saddle butter.

Over the course of 12 to16 hours I will be hoping to swim 2.4 miles (3.8km) cycle 110 miles (178km) and run 26.2 (42.2km). The eagle eyed amongst you may have spotted that I am not blessed with a chassis traditionally associated with any of these disciplines; more seahorse than salmon, more pit pony than Red Rum, more Butterbean than Radcliffe, which should make for quite the spectacle for any spectators / passing dog walkers / fisherman.

I appreciate I am very privileged to be able to contemplate this venture. However I would like to invite you to offer any support you are able, whether that be emotional and/or financial. The charity I am supporting is called It’s All For Nepal (IAFN). Set up by my in laws following a trip to Nepal in 2014. Shortly afterwards a significant earthquake hit the region and caused huge damage across the already challenged region. Since 2016 my in laws, friends and family have delivered a variety of initiatives in the area, a few of which are detailed at the bottom of this email.

If you need alternative motivation to support the cause think of the donation as hush money. If you support IAFN for this endeavour you will have earned the right to silence me at any time from telling stories about blisters, chaffing and how “i could have shaved 2 minutes off my transition time if I’d worn Velcro shoes.” 😉

Examples of IAFN activities since 2016 include:

- as part of the health/education initiatives IAFN provided laptops to communities enabling health professionals to liaise/record patient/student information accurately.

- provided sports & stationary equipment to enhance learning environments.

- funded and built 2 classrooms.

- provided school uniforms for an entire school.

- provided essential medical equipment in very remote areas.

- distributed menstrual health management packs to schools, clinics & children's homes in remote mountainous areas. By distributing these packs IAFN addressed health concerns & helped tackle social stigmas, empowering women & girls to pursue education and training.

Current and future fundraising efforts will support initiatives where IAFN can create sustainable changes for women & girls.

1. Sewing project.

Providing marginalised women with work premises, materials & employment opportunities by creating dignity packs, empowering them to support their families & communities

2. Supporting the education, emotional & vocational training of girls rescued from the streets.

If you find any of the above mildly compelling I’d be extremely appreciative of your support! 😎

Sent from my iPhone