I turned 50 last year and decided to mark the occasion by setting myself the biggest physical challenge of my life. I love my bike, I love running, not so sure I can say that about swimming though ! I have always wanted to compete in an Ironman 70.3 so entered Ironman Marbella 70.3.

The challenge is simple...

SWIM - 1.9km or 1.2 miles

BIKE - 90km or 56 miles

RUN - 21.1km or 13.1 miles

Having fully funded my own place and travel, I wanted to use this opportunity to make a difference and a positive impact for a really good cause. So I have chosen to raise funds for the Born Free Foundation, my wife Tracey has been involved with their advisory board for the past year or so. The work they do to protect and preserve wildlife together with their education programmes is truly inspiring and funds are much needed to support their amazing and selfless work.

Did you know that 90% of wild lions have been lost in the last century? Large cats and other mammals continue to be captured in the wild and sold as pets, or exploited in captivity for profit, often in horrific conditions. Up to 86% of forests in elephant ranges have declined in the last three generations, leaving forest African Elephants critically endangered. Over 96% of tigers have been lost in the last 100 years. Devastating.

But I'm doing something about it! And you can help me by donating to my fundraising page. Anything you can give really will help wildlife. And don't forget to add Giftaid if you are a tax payer - this comes at no cost to you and helps Born Free receive even more money! I really appreciate your support of my challenge, it will be a great achievement for me personally.

How your gift could help:

£5 could buy health-enhancing vitamins for cheetahs rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and now cared for at the Born Free Ensessa Kotteh centre in Ethiopia.

£12 contributes towards the lifetime care of Parly and other moon bears rescued from bile farms in Vietnam.

£24 funds one days care for a rescued lions at our sanctuary in Shamwari, South Africa: Born Free has rescued dozens of individuals from run down zoos, circuses and the illegal pet trade.

£40 supports a Great Ape Guardian for a month in The Dja Biosphere Reserve, Cameroon.

£50 funds vital equipment such as a first aid kit, uniform and rations for our dedicated Pride of Meru lion conservation team in Kenya

£75 funds a one day elephant workshop aimed at transforming community attitudes towards wild animal welfare.

£1,500 funds the construction of a SMART Boma in Amboseli Park, Kenya: an enclosure to keep livestock safe, keep communities happy and stop retaliatory attacks on lions. Just take one traditional boma built from hook-thorn acacia and introduce eco-friendly, cost-effective smart technology!