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This year Steve McHugh and Martin Pritchard-Howarth are combining forces and planning a number of Endurance Challenges. We are funding these ourselves, any donations go directly to the PLF Charity that we are supporting.

We have achieved what we'd planned in training and now we're getting to the business end of the year, the culmination of many months of hard work and preparatory events!!

Between July 4th and the 13th Steve has his window for the Arch to Arc. Many will know what this challenge entails. Known as the toughest triathlon in the world it begins with an 87 mile (140km) run from Marble Arch in London to Dover. There he'll jump into the English Channel and swim the 21 miles (34km) across to France. After towelling off in Calais he will then bike the 180 miles (290km) to finish at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Unfortunately we couldn't get any tickets for the Olympics so will be heading back to the UK after (hopefully!) a few celebratory beers and photos.

Steve is being supported during the event by Lee McHugh, Jim Tinsley, Paul Cullen, Liam Hanlon and Martin Pritchard-Howarth.

UPDATED*

The weather window was not safe enough for Steve to attempt the Channel due to the tail end of tropical storm Betty reaching our shores HIS A2A WINDOW HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 23rd!

On returning to Wirral time is short before Martin starts his DECA Ironman challenge. This entails an Ironman distance Swim (3.8km) Bike (180km) and Run (42.2 km) each day for 10 days. This event will run from Friday 19th July until Sunday 28th July. Originally this event was an organised race by Brutal Events down in Somerset but unfortunately it was cancelled due to lack of entrants! Not to be thwarted we have decided to run it on the Wirral, alternating swim starts between West Kirby and New Brighton. Steve will be supporting, as I'm hoping will many other friends from the Wirral sporting community, who will be more than welcome to keep me company for part or all of the days!

Special mention to our long suffering, excellent and very patient coach Jon Fairhurst of JGF Fitness who has kept us busy with sessions in preparation for this month of hell!!

We are raising funds for the Paul Lavelle foundation, who are looking to purchase a minibus to further their charitable work- More about this below: we will also be making donations from the total to Dementia charities and St John’s Hospice.

As ever we’ll be heavily depending on the support of great mates from the Tri4Life, PLF, Rustman and Triathlon communities

Thank you for any support you can offer, please feel free to share this link far and wide. All donations will go direct to the charity, we are funding everything else ourselves. No matter how large are small, we are so grateful for what you can spare.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

THE PAUL LAVELLE FOUNDATION:

Background

Paul Lavelle was killed in an act of domestic violence by his partner in May 2017. After the devastating loss of Paul, friends and family came together to create The Paul Lavelle Foundation. The Charity was created to raise awareness of male domestic abuse, to support male domestic abuse victims and survivors and to provide healthy relationship education as a preventative measure. The PLF also promotes physical and mental health and wellbeing through sports and outdoor activities.

Raising Awareness

Campaigning, by sharing Paul Lavelle’s tragic death has been a key aim of the charities initial work, highlighting and raising awareness that domestic abuse happens to males as well as females.

Early Intervention Support

The PLF offers a specialist dedicated therapeutic support service for male domestic abuse victims and survivors. Our male domestic abuse service is focused on recovery and is designed to provide a person-centred blend of Therapeutic, Advocacy, Advice and Link-Worker/Signposting support activities.

Community Activity Groups for Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing

The PLF offers inclusive Community Activity Groups in the form of weekly swimming, cycling, running and walking clubs, for both males and females of any ability which are run by our Trustees and volunteers. The various regular weekly groups operate on a self-referral basis to encourage physical and mental health and well-being, through exercise and outdoor activities.

Programmes and Support for Children and Young People

The PLF facilitates a healthy relationship education workshop for both children and young people in schools and colleges to help to break the cycle of domestic abuse. They are aimed at primary, secondary schools and colleges. The PLF delivers healthy relationship education programmes, to support young people who have been impacted by domestic abuse in the family environment.

Fundraising Activities

The Foundation’s annual fundraising activities are based around sports, activities and family fun. It is the ethos of the Foundation to promote and encourage physical and mental health and wellbeing, raising aspirations from young to old!

Many thanks as ever for your support (and for reading this far) , Every penny counts so we are extremely grateful for any donation.

All our best wishes

Steve and Martin