In memory of John Stewart, husband, daddy, son, brother, friend,  colleague and sportsman, Crossfit Leeds will be undertaking a challenge where by each team will have to continuously run and row for 24 hours. 

John died in April 2011, aged 49, of prostate cancer, after a three year battle with the disease which left him debilitated, yet still an inspiration to many.

John started his sporting career as a non-athlete! Poor hand eye co-ordination meant he was never a great participant in school sports. However, aged 18, he visited his German friend Eckhard and by chance joined up with Eck's Swiss cousins for a cycle ride. 3 Swiss passes in 2 days reduced the others to a train ride home, whilst John finished the challenge realising he was a natural endurance cyclist. After realising he was sporty, in his own, individual way, he cycled the 15,000 mile trip from New Zealand to the UK solo and, realising that boats complement bicycles well, rowed for Pembroke College, Cambridge, for which he won a blade in Bumps.

Scuba diving was another of his great loves at college and led to many adventures, including him being an instructor with Operation Raleigh in New Zealand. He played lawn and real tennis and latterly swam regularly, which meant for a 'non-athlete' he was one of the fittest guys around.

When diagnosed with cancer, he battled with the odds to swim the equivalent of the English Channel in his local pool with his wife and two daughters, aged 13 and 9. In the weeks before his health deteriorated, he was still to be found on his bike. With 'his girls' he cycled 300 miles in 5 days in the Welsh borders! He rowed for his town rowing club, Champion of the Thames, Cambridge, for whom he won two blades, and helped his eldest daughter, Jessica to her first, aged 14. Throughout his illness, and after his death, Champs RC was a great support to him and the girls. 

He also encouraged his younger daughter, Esme, to combine her love of cycling, inherited from him, and her aptitude for swimming and running and to train as a triathlete. He would be proud of her sucess now. 

He always felt there was a sport for everyone and that everybody should be encouraged, not just for he fitness benefits, but for the social ones as well.

The Memorial Fund has been set up to continue his desire to help others get involved with 'the sport for them'.  Funds raised will be distributed by application to the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation (www.cambscf.org.uk) for grants from the John Stewart Memorial Fund. Please help us reach our goal, thank you for any contribution!