My story is about a lady who inspired me beyond belief: 

I went to the Warwickshire Triathlon in September 2013 to cheer on my friend who was competing.  I had watched her train for nearly 12 months for the event and the training was hard going.  She was competing in the Triathlon with 10 other people, they were raising money for Cancer Research and the charity was close to their hearts as their friend, Helen, had suffered with Cancer and she was also going to be taking part in the event. 

At the time of the event, Helen had become unwell and was being treated for her cancer, however, she was determined that she would take part and complete what she had set out to do!

On the day, Helen wasn't well enough to do the full event, but she was determined that she was going to run and so she did.  After everyone had completed their swim and cycle, Helen joined the team for the run.  She was unwell, she was undergoing treatement but she was going to run!  She got up off her feet and off she went, focused, determined and absolutely hell bent on completing this leg!

I watched as everyone started to cross the finishing line and then I saw Helen, emerging for her last 100M, she was going for it and when she crossed the line, red faced and breathless there was an enormous cheer from the crowd.  The moment was so emotional, all the training and preparation and she had now completed the run, she was elated and it was quite unbelievable to see this lady, despite her illness and onoging treatments, she had done it!

After the event Helen became very unwell and she sadly lost her battle with cancer in September 2014.  Leaving behind a legacy of absolute gritty determination and focus.  She also left behind the memory of the Triathlon and what it meant, so from that, the original team decided to take part in another event and see if they could build a bigger team than the original 11.  #TEAMHELEN was born.  To date, there are 149 competitors registered, over 100 individuals and a number of relay teams. This is a staggering amount for one team!

I am not athletic and I am not very fit but I am going to join a relay team and complete the swim.  Watching somebody who had every reason not to compete but did has inspired me so much to join the team and take part in this amazing event.

Please sponsor me and keep me focused and maybe next time I will try and do the whole event, always remembering those moments when Helen crossed the finishing line and I watched her achieve what she had set out to do.  The inspiration was something to hold onto forever!

Thanks

Jude x