The challenge: Ironman Kalmar (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and full marathon 26.2 miles) Oh yes, completed all in 1 day and must be completed within 16 hours...

YES IM SCARED!!!! How can you do it and only 5 months training...

The one-loop 3.8 km (2.4 mile) swim takes athlete into the Kalmar strait and the waters of the Baltic Sea.

The two-loop 180.2 (112 mile) bike course heads out to the island of Öland known for its stunning natural beauty

The three-loop 42.2 km (26.2. mile) run course around Kalmar.

This year I turn 50 (7th June 24) and although last year I had a breakdown and was ill for 8 months, I am doing this challenge partly to prove to myself that I'm back and anything is possible! This is also a dream of mine for many years and although I haven't ever done a triathlon before, I am a keen runner and can cycle a bit. I cannot however swim and I do get out of breath after only 1 length. I will therefore start swimming lessons from March 24 this year and try to become a quick learner. :-)

Every year around August, we also come from the UK to Oland to see my Wife's family in Sweden and we often see the Iron Man Kalmar. I love seeing the final running section in the City with all the Swedish people really getting behind the competitors, shouting 'heja' 'heja' it seems such fun and really nice to see Swedish people let go and become passionate together about this special event. For this very reason I knew my first and maybe last Iron Man, had to be in the special city of Kalmar.

Most importantly this year I will be also raising money and awareness for 'Young Minds' who are a charity who help children and young adults with their mental health. I have been involved with this charity before and their cause is really close to my heart . They do some amazing work with children that are having tough times at home, school or in daily life and offer a safe place to talk share and unload their problems. Suicide is a real problem facing children in the UK and Sweden and this is becoming increasingly worse due to the pressure each kid now faces from social media, conflicts in the world, uncertainty of life and general society. Kids need help more than ever and this is why I will try my best to complete this challenge, so I can support Young Minds and the valuable work they do. I also know what its like to be at your lowest, give up and lose all hope, thinking being dead is a better option, however I was truly lucky to have support of my family, wife and friends, who saved me and after 8 months got me back to living again. Unfortunately not all people are as lucky as I was to have that support, especially children who feel isolated.

I therefore want to take the opportunity and my second chance in life to use my new found inner strength and belief to help those children who don't have the support they deserve. I will do my best to complete this challenge to raise money for Young Minds and prove to myself even at 50 anything is possible. Please help me by kindly donating to my cause, so we can make a difference to those children in need.