This is for Ashley.

I originally agreed to this triathlon back in April. Although chronically unfit, for some reason I enjoy putting myself through this pain from time to time, so it was a mostly selfish decision. However earlier this year that all changed.

My daughter Ashley was born on 26th August with a Type 2 sacrococcygeal teratoma. We were expecting it, but that didn't lessen the shock. Ashley and I transferred to the Neo-natal surgery unit at Birmingham Children's hospital around 8 hours post birth.

To say the treatment we received from there was excellent would be to radically underplay things. The team at BCH were unbelievable - offering incredible support to both child and (somewhat bewildered!) parents. Ashley continues to recover, but her discharge only 2 weeks later is testament to the quality of care received.

Putting myself through a bit of pain for some of your hard earned money doesn't begin to pay things back, but for the time being is an opportunity I cannot pass up.