On 7 February 2013, aged just 18, Harry Faulkner, son of friends of mine, tragically passed away during a squash match, as a result of a cardiac arrest.

 

He was at the greatest time of life, just finishing school, about to start university and representing the UK at squash, the game he loved and lived for: He was on the launch-pad, the world was at his feet.

 

Part of a wonderfully happy, humble and generous family, Harry was quite simply a lovely young man.

 

On 25th August, I'll be on the start line for Iron Man Canada - in Whistler, British Columbia - and with his family's blessing I'm proud to be able to take the opportunity to raise funds, in Harry's name and honour, for Cardiac Risk in the Young, a charity to increase awareness of conditions that can lead to young sudden cardiac death.

 

Ironman is a long-distance triathlon that I've spent most of the year training for and consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and finally the full 26.2 mile marathon.

 

The easy bit is getting to the start line: What I realise through my preparation and training races is that when race day comes, the toughest challenge is how you feel between the ears. But also I've experienced how genuinely inspirational and uplifting it is to have a purpose and to have the words and encouragement of friends during the difficult times.

 

I'm hoping that this is an opportunity for some good to come from a brutally tragic situation and also to create a little solace and hopefully a little light for Donna, Stefan and Charlee.

 

Thanks for reading, and please help me make this go viral! John

 

Fund Raising Page: http://www.justgiving.com/JohnnieL

 

National Press Obituary for Harry: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/squash/9861885/Teenage-squash-star-killed-by-heart-attack.html

 

Cardiac Risk in the Young: http://www.c-r-y.org.uk/

 

Iron Man Canada: http://www.ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/canada.aspx#axzz2a3SF17Ut

 

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lupteto @Lupteto #IM4Harry

 

Other Obituaries and information on Harry:

 

http://www.squash365.com/carteblanche/2013/02/13/harry-faulkner-february-2013-by-lee-drew/

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/squash/9861885/Teenage-squash-star-killed-by-heart-attack.html

 

http://www.justgiving.com/Vikki-Spratt

 

http://www.herts-squash.org.uk/juniors/2013/harry-faulkner.htm

 

http://www.bltsrc.co.uk/page/qviewer/newsletter*topic*3*date*201306*id*89

 

http://www.herts-squash.org.uk/juniors/2013/harry-faulkner.htm

 

http://squashuk.com/players/blog-tributes-to-harry-faulkner/