70.3 FOR MUM & DAD ❤️

In 2025, I lost both my mum and my dad.

Dad passed away in January and Mum passed away in November. Both deaths were related to heart problems, and incredibly, both spent their final days in the same hospital ward — C1 Glover, the primary cardiac unit at Grimsby General Hospital.

During an incredibly difficult year for our family, Mum and Dad received wonderful care from the team at C1 Glover.

Their compassion, professionalism and dedication meant an enormous amount to us, particularly during those final days.

I will always be grateful.

So, in memory of Mum and Dad, I have decided to take on a challenge that is both personal and very different from anything I have done before.

On 17 October 2026, at the age of 65, I will take part in my first IRONMAN 70.3 in Cascais, Portugal.

What is a 70.3?

It consists of:

🏊 1.9 km sea swim

🚴 90 km bike ride

🏃 21.1 km run

That's 70.3 miles in total. All done consecutively on the same day.

The swim is in the sea in the port of Cacais, the bike course includes a challenging 5 km climb, before finishing with a half marathon run along the coastline.

I've done numerous shorter-distance triathlons over the past eight years, although I have also had a few occasions when I didn't finish!

This is different.

This time there is a much bigger reason for doing it.

Why am I doing this?

There are four reasons.

❤️ 1. To remember and celebrate Mum and Dad

This challenge is first and foremost about them.

I want to celebrate their lives, remember the people they were and create something positive from a very difficult year for our family.

❤️ 2. To say thank you

The care Mum and Dad received from C1 Glover meant so much to all of us.

I want this challenge to be a way of saying thank you to the people who cared for them when our family needed them most.

I will be raising funds for:

The Health Tree Foundation, the local NHS charity supporting patients, families and staff across our local hospitals.

❤️ 3. To raise awareness of heart health

Losing both parents to heart-related problems has made me think much more deeply about heart health.

I want to use this challenge to encourage people to think about their own heart health and the importance of staying active.

The British Heart Foundation highlights the benefits of regular physical activity for cardiovascular health, including helping reduce risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol. It also recommends a mixture of aerobic, strength, flexibility and balance activity.

My message is a simple one:

You don't have to train for an Ironman to look after your heart.

Walking, cycling, swimming, gardening, playing with your grandchildren or simply becoming a little more active can all be steps in the right direction.

And if my story encourages even one person to think differently about their heart health, it will be worthwhile.

❤️ 4. To celebrate being 65

I joined Southampton Triathlon Club when I was 57.

I subsequently became Chairman of the club and have spent the last eight years enjoying triathlon, fitness and the friendships that come with it.

At 65, I want to prove something to myself — and hopefully encourage others to believe it too:

It's never too late to start.

You don't have to be an elite athlete.

You don't have to be young.

You just have to start somewhere.

My family

I am incredibly lucky to have the support of my wife, Mary, our three adult children — Hannah, Michael and Rachel — and our three grandchildren, Teddy, Fenella and Aila.

They will all be part of this journey.

Because ultimately this isn't just about completing a triathlon.

It's about family.

It's about remembering two very special people.

And it's about doing something positive that may help other families in the future.

Please support the challenge

My fundraising target is £1,000 for The Health Tree Foundation.

Every donation, however large or small, will make a difference.

If you can't donate, there are other ways you can help:

❤️ Share this page

❤️ Tell someone about the campaign

❤️ Follow my training

❤️ Take part in the heart-health challenges

❤️ Encourage someone else to become more active

❤️ Send me a message of support on race day

And most importantly, look after your heart and encourage the people you love to do the same.

Follow the journey

Over the coming weeks I'll be sharing:

🏊 Swim training

🚴 Bike training

🏃 Running

❤️ Heart-health information

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family memories

😄 The good days

😩 The bad days

…and hopefully, eventually…

🏁 The finish line in Cascais.

For Mum.

For Dad.

For C1 Glover.

For heart health.

For everyone who has ever lost someone they love.

70.3 miles. Two charities. One very personal reason.