Olympic medallist Tim Brabants supports Tri-for-Life Combined Charities Challenge
On Sunday 21st September, approximately 600 spectators gathered to support 300 participants - including 35 teams - at the Tri-for-Life Combined Charities Challenge event, including 2008 Beijing Olympic winner Tim Brabants, who auctioned himself as a team mate to the highest bidder.
The mini triathlon was held at Dorney Lake near Eton, Windsor -- a 2012 Olympic venue - and raised a remarkable £60,000 (with donations still coming in); funds which will be distributed to six different and worthwhile charities; Rays of Sunshine, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Teenage Cancer Trust, WJR (World Jewish Relief), MTV Staying Alive Foundation and The Employment Resource Centre.
The unprecedented inaugural event was organised by the recently established Tri-for-life charity and run by premier Triathlon event organizers in the UK, Human Race. It aimed to make challenge events more accessible to novices as well as experienced athletes, providing the opportunity to compete individually or as part of a relay team of three, thus completing either of the three disciplines - bike ride (20k), swim (400m) or run (5k).
Brabants presented the winners with medals, commenting:
"Everyone who took part worked really hard in advance of the race and fully committed themselves to generating support. It was refreshing to see so many charities working closely together for a common cause -- I look forward to next year!"
Harvey Selby, Chairman of the Tri-for-Life committee, commented:
"We are absolutely delighted with the success of our first Tri for Life event. Feedback from participants and spectators has been incredibly positive and we already have people signing up for 2009. Most importantly, we have raised a significant sum of money for a variety of charities and look forward to building upon our success as we plan Tri for Life 2009".
To donate to Tri-for-Life, please send a cheque made payable to 'Tri-for-Life' to Mowbray House, 58-70 Edgware Way, London HA8 8DJ or call 020 8958 0000 for more information.
