Since August 2022 I've been training to complete my first triathlon - the UK Ironman 2023 - and I'm fundraising for InCommon, the intergenerational charity where I am a trustee.

This event will take me back to my roots: the UK Ironman is in Bolton this year. In fact I'll be cycling past the house I grew up in 3x (if everything goes to plan). Whilst my main goal is to finish the event, I have a stretch goal of finishing in under 12-hours. For the uninitiated, an Ironman is a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride, capped off by a marathon-distance run. I'm absolutely terrified.

I'm fundraising for InCommon, which is a charity bringing people together across the generations. I've been an advisor and trustee at InCommon since 2018, a year after it was founded by Laura Macartney and Charlotte Whittaker who I met on the Year Here fellowship. We started our social ventures at the same time and it's definitely felt like a shared journey.

InCommon partners with schools, youth groups, housing associations and other community organisations to connect people of different ages in meaningful ways that benefit everyone taking part. More than 1800 people have made an intergenerational connection through InCommon, and older people have volunteered over 1800 hours sharing their knowledge, energy and experience to support young people’s learning.

They run intergenerational workshops in retirement homes, and have also adapted to be able to offer a fully remote programme which has kept generations connected through the pandemic years. Recently we have also expanded into supporting others to bring generations together, particularly through intergenerational social action.

Learn more about InCommon at https://incommon.org.uk/

Please do give generously to support InCommon as they deliver their important work, and to give me a reason to keep going as I put myself through hell.