A group of six friends from Wirral are attempting the Arch 2 Arc Enduroman triathlon challenge to raise money for four charities: Alzheimers Society, Age UK Wirral, Cleft Lip and Palate Association and Mountain Rescue England and Wales.
The Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathlon is an ultra-distance triathlon. The triathlon starts with an 87-mile run (140 km) from London’s Marble Arch to Dover on the Kent coast, then a cross-channel swim (shortest distance 21 miles/33,8 km) to the French coast, and finishes with a 180-mile (289,7 km) bike from Calais to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The clock starts at Marble Arch, London and stops at Arc de Triomphe, Paris.
Two members of the team, Dr Branwell Spencer and Dr Martin Pritchard who are both Consultants in Elderly Care Medicine at Wirral University Teaching Hospital chose charities Alzheimers Society and Age UK Wirral as they work every day with patients and families affected by dementia and other illnesses that unfortunately are so very common amongst the population.
Dr Spencer said: “These are some of our most vulnerable, disadvantaged and often forgotten members of society and we are very keen to raise awareness and support the excellent charities working directly in the Wirral. This is particularly important at this time of great challenge within the Health and Social Care Services. These charities reflect a range of personal interests across the group. We are keen triathletes and have raised money for different causes over a number of years doing a range of challenges. This is a team relay event non-stop from Marble Arch to Dover, a swim across the English Channel and then our final leg is a cycle from Dover to the Arc de Triomphe. The exact start date depends on the weather window to swim the Channel to give us the best chance of crossing. We need to be on standby to get to London at short notice to start our challenge, running to Dover to get the best weather slot. We are funding this challenge entirely ourselves and hoping to raise £10,000 for our nominated charities. I would like to say thanks to West Wallasey Van Hire and Port Sunlight Trailer company for generously donating a minibus and trailer for the event.”
To support the team in their challenge, visit their fundraising page at: www.virginmoneygiving.com/team/Merseytria2a2017
