Hello,

Thank you for taking a look at what I’m doing, and what am I doing 🫣!!

The past few years I have been the best cheerleader (something I’m really really good at!) on the finish line of Marks triathlons and Ironman events! That’s the role I’m good at. I love watching people come over the finish line, feeling the emotion and wondering about their story, their who, why and what for! Well, last year on the finish line at Croyde Ocean Tri I wondered if that could be me, and before I knew it, he’d signed me up! And we chose a charity place, because then, I had to do it!! I’m definitely no athlete and this has pushed me out my comfort zone more than you know!

Here I am now, the night before, starting a fundraising appeal. Why so late? Because I didn’t honestly believe in myself enough that I’d go through with it, be here and actually have registered at the event! But… I have!

Who for?

I raising money for Balloons Charity (I have their vest and a tin and everything, because they believed in me!) Balloons are a small, local charity in Exeter and East Devon offering a range of support to children and young people aged 5 – 25 when someone significant in their life dies or is about to die. Many of you reading this will know, in 2024 my Dad died and in 2025 Balloons helped support our family when I wasn’t strong enough to do so, because grief is the worst. They continue offering support now if we needed it!

The team at balloons are all absolutely amazing and I will never thank them enough for their support. The reality is that death will effect us all and I want to support Balloons to enable them to support other families like mine, and in reality is likely to support a family I know! This year is their 20th Anniversary and any monies you can donate will go towards them supporting families for many more years to come.

If you are reading this because you are one of my Turtle Families, next week our swim will be all about celebrating our fantastic year in the pool. To support Balloons we will do everything in 20s (20 years of Balloons). If you’d like to donate to me and cheer me on, we can celebrate next week. You could even treat your Turtle Tot to their own TRIathlon. A TurtleTri. Swim with me, ride (in a pram, scooter or balance bike and tottle, attached to a grown up or on their own feet!) You can donate in name of your Turtle Tots and them their own sponsorship! I’d LOVE that!

I understand we are living in times where everything costs more money and there is always money to spend on other things, but if you’d can donate just a few £s to cheer me on, I’d be so grateful, so would the team at Balloons and the children/ families they support.

Thank you for reading, for believing in me and your support

Rebecca 💛🎈