In 2020 our dear friend Coops sadly decided he could no longer fight his demons and struggles with mental health and completed suicide. For all of us that were fortunate to know Coops a huge space has been left in our hearts and our lives. Coops was funny, kind, caring, compassionate, creative, adventurous, the list goes on. He touched the lives of everyone he met, personally and professionally. Having had the honour of being both Coop's friend and working with him, I know the difference he has made to the lives of the people he worked with, and the passion he brought to wanting to help people who struggled in their own lives.

I am completing this challenge to raise money for the RNLI. Roo - Coop's little boy - would love to join the Coastguard when he's older. Coops would love this, and I know he would be so proud of Roo.

For Coops and Roo I am doing the Slateman Sprint Triathlon on the 9th of June. The Slateman sprint is a 750m lake swim, 20km bike ride and 5.8km run in the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia). This is one of three triathlons I am completing this year, in memory of three incredible people I lost that year.

To Coops, I hope there are mountains and adventures wherever you are. I'm not sure if in my training I'll get that six-pack we used to train together for but you can be sure if I see even the slightest glimmer of an ab I'm taking the credit for being the first one to have got there. Miss you mate xxx

Too many people are still drowning. More than ever we need the RNLI’s help. As a charity, the RNLI depends on our donations so it can go on saving lives and keeping us and our loved ones safe.

RNLI lifesavers are our lifeline. They’re the lifeboat crews who provide 24-hour search and rescue right around the UK and Ireland. The lifeguards keeping watch on 240 of the busiest beaches in the UK and Channel Islands. And the RNLI safety teams and educators working tirelessly to stop people getting into trouble in the first place.

Thank you.