Tri For Life
We are a partner in this fabulous fund raising idea, set up by the late Harvey Selby, who had a vision to widen the circle of support given to others. He saw the opportunity to combine the fastest growing sport with that of raising money for charities and set up Tri for Life. It is an event for all the family; it’s fun, energetic but with a serious goal, to raise money for those in need. The next event in 2010 will take place on the 5th September, at Eton College Boating House, Dorney Lake, Eton and Windsor.
Tri-for-life have formed partnerships with a number of charities, The Emily Ash Trust being one: www.triforlife.co.uk/charities-partners
With a choice of two distances either 400m swim, 20k cycle, 5k run or an 800m swim, 30k cycle, 7.5k run participants are able to enter as an individual or as a team. There is also a Scootathlon for children between 4 and 8 so everyone can take part!
Following the success of last year’s event, we hope that Sunday 5th September 2010 will prove to be even more successful. We are releasing PIN numbers that will allow you to register on Saturday 1st May.
If you require bike hire for the day, Tri For Life have negotiated a special rate for us: £30 if you collect in advance or £37 if you collect it on the day. Visit: www.londonbicycle.com and make sure you click on the Tri For Life link.
If you or a team would like to take part in this fantastic event you can email us for details and we will provide you with the necessary information to register as part of The Emily Ash Team. You will benefit from setting up your own JustGiving page so that people can sponsor you and the money will be paid directly to the charity, including gift aid. This avoids you having to go round collecting it after the event. The JustGiving page is very easy to set up and you can even personalise it with pictures and messages. If you need help with this just email us, we are happy to help! When you have set up your JustGiving page, email us the link and we will add it to our 'Sponsor The EAT Team' page.
Our goal for 2010 is to get 200 competitors raising, on average, £250 each in sponsorship. This will generate £50,000 in much needed funds for the trust!!
Still not convinced you can do it?! Well, take a look at the video below and read Emilie Saintas' deeply moving and inspirational account of her First Triathlon:
My First Triathlon by Emilie Saintas
Perhaps I should start with where I was a year ago compared to where I am today. I would have been recovering from my 7th cycle of chemotherapy, watching my hair grow back and dreading my next operation. It was also at this time that I told The Emily Ash Trust that if I got the all clear then I would do the Triathlon. That operation was my last and signaled the end of my battle with cancer. Month by month my strength built up and I began training for September, to begin with a little exercise would mean I was in bed for days after, I doubted that I could do it but still pushed on, determined. Little by little I saw differences in my strength and endurance. The night before I kept telling myself that I have been to hell and back with the treatment and at some points doubted whether I would even have the strength to keep going. This was going to be a walk in the park compared to that!
Feeling how cold the lake was I started to panic, thinking I won’t get to the end, but my mind was so determined to push me to the end I just kept going. I had the support of my family, my boyfriend Joey, best friend Kerrie and so many other people encouraging me on. But it was so exhilarating! The rush when I got out of the lake and running to my bike was amazing, I just wanted to keep going. The breeze across my face and the buzz of everyone else biking around me was incredible. The sheer magnitude of people kept a smile on my face and kept my legs peddling! The run by far was the hardest but I just kept thinking how close I was and how proud I would feel at the end. Luckily for me I was saved by Alex running beside me and giving me goals to run to and eventually ran right to the end, through the crowds yelling my name and seeing everyone cheering and smiling! I couldn’t believe I had completed it and I still can’t believe it, even with a heat pack on my back to help it recover!
I remember thinking that I would never be the same person I was before I was diagnosed and that it would change me forever. I always saw this as a negative thing but actually thanks to the triathlon and the mountains of support I have, I can see now in a positive way that the person I was before, never would have thought I could beat cancer or train and complete my first triathlon. And that positive thought will keep me going forever.
Click here to view photos of the day and don't forget to add The Emily Ash Trust as a friend on Facebook to view all our photos of past events!