I am attempting to complete a world record breaking 22 Olympic distance triathlons in 7 days. An Olympic distance triathlon consists of a 1500m swim, a 40k bike and a 10k run. 

I am doing this to tribute my brother, Steven, who was murdered in a gang-related knife attack in Croydon fifteen years ago. I have really struggled to come to terms with his death and I wanted to do something special in memory of him.

I want to show young people people that whatever hand they are dealt in life, they can achieve their goals, however ambitious and out of reach they may seem. I'm now 44 years old, so some might say this record is out of reach for me.

The charity that embodies this purpose for me is Steel Warriors. Steel Warriors take seized and surrendered knives from London’s streets, melt them down, and recycle the steel into free, outdoor calisthenics gyms. They use these spaces as community hubs and training centres to support disadvantaged young people and show them that they can make their dreams a reality.

Donate to my page to sponsor me in my challenge and help Steel Warriors empower futures and save lives.

Where? When?

My record attempt starts on Monday 18 July. Bishopsgate School in Windsor has kindly agreed to be my base. I will do all my swims there in their amazing indoor pool and then use the adjacent Windsor Great Park for my bike and run legs.

My Background and motivations

I was born in Croydon in 1977. I was the second of five children, all boys. We grew up on a local authority housing estate where criminal activity was rife, mainly gang-related violence and drug-dealing. Knife crime was and remains very common. It was scary as a young boy but quickly became the norm. I had to toughen up fast but none of it felt comfortable for me. I grew up witnessing a lot of domestic violence in my parents' relationship and my father and two of my brothers were in and out of prison. I got into some scrapes as a young lad but I knew I wanted a different life for myself. I had a close relationship with my grandparents, now sadly deceased, and I was grateful for that growing up.

I was a quiet, pretty disengaged pupil at school, although I did enjoy Science. Sport has always been a big passion of mine, particularly running and football (I'm a dedicated Arsenal supporter). As a boy I would turn up to Surrey athletics meets and run wearing an oversized pair of secondhand dealer boots and leave the field for dust! I didn't have the opportunity to join an athletics club or benefit from any coaching. I left school at 15 (expelled for defending myself in a physical fight, they were a daily occurrence at my school) but I was allowed to return for exams and I did pass a couple of GCSEs.

I went to play semi-pro football for Sutton United for a couple of years. I then worked fulltime as a groundsman in a local cemetery. My interest in nature and plants grew and I studied to gain a variety of RHS qualifications in tree surgery and horticulture. I have worked in grounds maintenance at the Institute of Cancer Research in Sutton for 18 years and enjoy designing and installing new projects like a sensory garden and a physics garden. The healing power of plants, in terms of our mental and physical wellbeing, is strong and often underrated.

I carried on running and using the gym at work to keep fit and strong and in 2014 I discovered the sport of triathlon. It gives me everything I need and suits my mentality as it is a really tough sport. I have competed in several Ironman 70.3 events including the European Championships in Germany and my performance at Ironman Lanzarote qualified me for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. I went on to compete in the Escape from Alcatraz event and was shortlisted last year to compete in Patagonman, but it was cancelled due to Covid-19. I decided to come up with my own challenge this year!

As well as doing the record for Steven, I also wanted to partner with a charity that gave something back to society in an area that is close to my heart. I was originally thinking of Cancer Research. However, my wife, Jane, came across Steel Warriors and told me about what they do. I think it is an absolutely incredible initiative to take knives off the streets and melt down the steel and give back a steel constructed street gym to the community where the knives came from. What a brilliant idea; turning something dangerous and bad into something really positive and good; taking away weapons and promoting strength, fitness and better lifestyle choices. I wish I'd found this charity much earlier. Given what happened to my brother, it means a huge amount to me to partner with Steel Warriors on this world record challenge. I've always felt like a lone warrior but now I'm proud to be a Steel Warrior.