Your friends are fundraising. Don't miss out, opt in.

Francesca's fundraiser for Friends of Sheldon School (FOSS)

Francesca Venner is raising money for Friends of Sheldon School (FOSS)

Ironman Kalmar 2026 · 15 August 2026

The Friends of Sheldon School supports enrichment activities to further the personal and educational growth of students at Sheldon, a comprehensive Secondary School & Sixth Form in Wiltshire. We help provide funding for tips, clubs and other activities to make them accessible for all students.

Story

Having completed two 70.3 distance half-ironman races - it is now time to face the ultimate triathlon challenge! This summer, I’ll be taking on an incredible challenge: completing a full Ironman in Kalmar, Sweden. That means a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride, and finishing with a 42.2km marathon run. It’s one of the toughest endurance events in the world, and alongside my full-time work, owning and competing a horse, I’m also training 12–20 hours every week to prepare.

I thought it would be a great opportunity to raise some money for a charity and felt that the Friends of Sheldon School (FOSS), the fantastic fundraising group that supports Sheldon School in Chippenham would be a suited charity.

You can learn more about their work here: https://www.sheldonschool.co.uk/home/our-community/foss/

Having worked in education for the past 10 years, I’ve been fortunate enough to work across a number of schools. Sheldon School is truly special. It transforms the lives of incredible young people and plays a vital role in supporting the community of Chippenham and the surrounding areas.

FOSS raises funds to provide additional opportunities, equipment, and experiences for students—things that go beyond what standard funding can provide. These opportunities can make a huge difference to students’ confidence, development, and future aspirations.

I firmly believe that education is a catalyst for change in our communities. The more opportunities we can give young people—especially in today’s challenging world—the more we empower them to thrive.

If you’re able to donate any amount, no matter how small, it would mean a great deal and would go directly toward supporting the students at Sheldon School.

As race day gets closer, I’ll share my live tracking details so you can follow along and cheer me on from afar!

Thank you so much for your support.

Donation summary

Total
£355.00
+ £78.75 Gift Aid
Online
£355.00
Offline
£0.00

Charities pay a small fee for our service. Learn more about fees