(DATE CHANGE to 4th November due to lockdown)

It started as a 6 month project and has turned into a year long learning curve. Originally due to take place in Vichy France, then Lisbon Portugal, now its going down on home turf. Sticking to the resheduled date on 7th November I will be doing my first IRONMAN Triathalon. All in aid of two charities, the Treatment Bag Charity & The Drake Foundation. Distances: Swim 3900m, 112 mile Bike, marathon run 26.2miles.

The Drake Foundation - concussion in sport & long-term brain health. Having started the Ironman journey as a result of a string of concussions it sensible to have a break from rugby and try something new. It seems fitting and right to support the projects of the Drake Foundation. A report found that within English professional rugby, 20.9 concussions were sustained per 1,000 hours of match play, which equates to roughly one per game. There has been a lot of discussion as to whether a history of concussion leads to an earlier-than-normal onset of dementia and accelerates Neurodegeneration. Much of their work to-date has focussed on not only improving sports safety, but also gaining an insight into the processes underlying neurodegenerative diseases, including dementia. Their investigation focus spans from current players, to those transitioning out of sport and retirement. Its an area that would be game changing to understand better so please shake a pocket.

The Treatment Bag Charity: Having cycled across Portugal and Spain with Fern, Poug, Glover last year In aid of this charity, its amazing what diffrence one of these bags can make. Treatment Bags have been specifically put together for cancer patients going through chemotherapy and other treatments. They contain a selection of luxurious, relevant products, to help brighten the darkest of days. It can be hard to know what to get someone undergoing chemo but not with Treatment Bags. The total contenss costs around £50 a bag so please spare whatever you can as a controbution to make someones day.