IRONMAN Challenge inspired by Pete & Julie

Hi

My name is Louise Ford, I'm 61 and I've been training since July 2023 for IRONMAN Hamburg which takes place on 2nd June 2024. This challenge involves swimming 3.8km in a lake followed by a 180km bike ride and concludes with a 44km (marathon) run. To date I've only done sprint triathlons, and this is about 9 times as far.

I would like to raise at least £2000 for 2 NHS organisations; firstly The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Spinal Unit in Oswestry and secondly for the Liver Transplant Unit, Queeen Elizabeth Hospital,Birmingham.

The training has been tough at times but I've taken inspiration from some truly amazing individuals who have faced adversity with stoicism and determination.

My husband Pete was involved in a cycling accident in 2021 sustaining a spinal cord injury which caused Incomplete Tetraplegia. He spent four and a half months in hospital followed by a long programme of rehabilitation which is still ongoing. Initially he was a wheelchair user but with many many hours of hard work and dogged determination he is now able to walk short distances using a walking pole. The icing on the cake being able to walk our daughter down the aisle last year. For him every day is a challenge which he faces with unwavering resolve.

My fabulous friend Julie became unwell in 2022 and following lots of investigations was diagnosed with Non Alcoholic Autoimmune Liver Disease necessitating a liver transplant. Julie was referred to The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham and underwent surgery in September 2023. She faced her life threatening diagnosis, deteriorating health and many painful medical procedures, as well as the transplant itself, with stoicism and fortitude.

On tough training days during the long, wet, cold winter months I've taken inspiration from Pete and Julie's positivity and 'never give up' attitude.

Thank you so much for sponsoring me. My IRONMAN challenge is only for one day, it's nothing compared to what these very special people have been through.