Thanks a lot for visiting myfundraising page. 

I’mhoping you’ll sponsor me, in the London Triathlon, to raise money for ‘WarChild’ in memory of my Father. My Dad was killed, age 31, in the Normandylandings in World War Two. I never met my Dad as I was born three months afterhe was killed in action, during the battle that liberated Caen.

Sothat’s why as an aged 'war child' myself I am committed to raising money forthe charity WAR CHILD who help children that are suffering today, as we’veseen, so heartbreakingly, in Syria. 

Istarted training last August, but never having been a very sporty type it wasquite daunting. However, by early this year felt I was going to make thecourse, even though I'll be one of the oldest, and one of the few with only oneknee-cap, taking part. 

In this 70th anniversary yearof D-Day (June 6 1944) I’ve set myself the challenge of doing the LondonTriathlon (swim one mile, bike 25 miles, then run six miles) on 2August in docklands. I'm hoping to complete the course within four hours. Your support will be amazingly encouraging.

I’mswimming at the Cally pool, in Caledonian Road, where I’ve managed 60 lengthsin 39 minutes, so that part is quite good. The cycling has improved even though my new bike was the first one I've had in over 50 years. I'm now cycling round the Outer Circle of Regent's Park and have done 25 miles in one hour 44 minutes. Also I'mrunning in the Islington Tennis Centre gym, and in Caledonian Park, and have done the six miles in one hour 17 minutes. I'm hoping to complete the course in four hours, but in all honesty I'll be glad to finish.

A BIT MORE ABOUT MY DAD: 22 days after D-Day he landed on Gold Beachin Normandy. He was a Battery Commander in the Royal Artillery’s 68 Anti TankRegiment. Just 10 days later (8 July 1944) he was killed fighting in one of thewar’s fiercest battles, for Caen. Coincidentally he had written a letter to myMum, and my brother Max (then nearly five), that very morning, dated 8/7/44, hewrote:

“. . .it won’t be long before we are together again, if Jerry was a decent sport hewould know he was beaten and pack in now. I’m still feeling fine and gettingalong alright, don’t worry about me this job isn’t so difficult after all, I’vehad much tougher times on schemes. Well darling I must close now, look afteryourself and keep happy, all my love to my own two darlings.

Yoursand Maxies’ . . . Bill

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx kisses for Maxie from Daddy” 

My Dadwas a Lance Sergeant, and he and the men he went over with, were up the sharpend soon after they reached France. All his letters back home over the 10 dayshe was there were in the same carefree tone. Keep your spirits up, and keep thehome fires burning. 

My Mumreceived a letter a week later from his troop commander telling her that he hadbeen killed. She remained a war widow for the next 62 years. She died in 2006.Soon after we carried out her final wish, which was to have her ashes buriedwith my Dad in the Hermanville War Cemetery in Normandy. So finally they aretogether again.

You can see my story in the little video (less than three minutes) at the end of the photo gallery, just click on the image.

Thanks for reading.