Studley charity boss takes on fundraising challenge (From Redditch Advertiser)

Studley charity boss takes on fundraising challenge

7:20am Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News

A CHARITY boss from Studley has taken the plunge as the first part of a fundraising challenge, swimming the equivalent of the English Channel.

Patrick Smith, who works as head of finance at a Birmingham based charity Trident Reach the People, started his 22 mile swim at the Abbey stadium in Redditch, swimming an impressive 320 lengths in less than four hours.

He plans to continue over the next 13 days, clocking up 160 lengths a day until he reaches his target.

The Tri-Hard Challenge, will also see Mr Smith cycle 200 miles from London to Paris in July, before heading to Africa in October to take part in a six-day trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

He said: “I’m hoping that each phase of my Tri-Hard Challenge, starting with this swim, will gradually get me fitter and fitter – so I should be ready for the final stage, Mount Kilimanjaro, by October.

“Once I have completed the swimathon, I will be taking part in the Abergavenny Three Peaks Trial in March – a 20-mile walk, climbing three separate mountains with a combined height of 5,000ft – which will help prepare me for it too.

“It will be a tough year, physically, but I am reasonably fit and am really looking forward to testing myself. It will be a real achievement to complete the challenge and I am hoping it will raise a lot of money to help vulnerable people in our community.”

Mr Smith is hoping to raise £25,000 towards a £75,000 campaign to buy three minibuses for Trident Reach, which will be used to run trips and outings for vulnerable people in the community, including older people and women and their children who have fled domestic abuse.

To donate to the Tri-Hard Challenge visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/tri-hard2013.