So, let's talk about the challenge. As a team of four long-standing friends we decided to sign up to Race the Sun, a "triathlon" event. All four team members need to complete the challenge - it is not a relay!!

On the face of it it seemed easy - a scenic cycle around the Lake District, a gentle kayak on Derwent Water and a gentle stroll up a hill.

Not so!

It's described as an "extremely tough" dawn to dusk event that will see us cycle 40 miles up, down and round Skiddaw, the UK's sixth highest mountain; a 2.5-mile kayak on Derwent Water; and an 11-mile hike up to the summit of that mountain (931m above sea level) and back down again.

We reckon the hardest part, and probably the most hilarious, will be the kayaking as we'll be in two kayaks lashed together and, though it's "only" supposed to be a two-mile journey, that probably doesn't take into account us going round and round in circles...

Anyway, we're already training for this event, which is in September 2023, and we also need to fundraise - hence this page.

As a team we need to raise around £2,000 to be allowed to take part, and all the cash we raise will go to Action Medical Research. It's the UK's leading charity funding vital research to help defeat the diseases that devastate the lives of sick and disabled babies, children and young people.

This is what the organisation says: "At Action Medical Research we are determined to stop the suffering of babies and children caused by disease and disability. By supporting us, you are helping to find ways to reduce premature birth, to support children facing a lifetime of challenges caused by disabilities, and to develop cutting-edge therapies for rare and incurable diseases."

So please, please donate to this amazing cause and let us try and complete the most ridiculous triathlon in the history of triathlons!

Thanks,