Glen Bevan, a personal trainer at Winners 2000 Gym, is undertaking another unbelievable challenge to raise funds for Torbay Holiday Helpers Network (THHN). Glen had planned to do the London Marathon and when he didn’t get a place a friend suggested the Milton Keynes Marathon instead. While that seemed like a good idea, to Glen, it simply wasn’t hard enough. So, then he thought he’d cycle there and back. After that, adding a swim was apparently the obvious next step. Then, if you are going to swim you may as well kayak a bit as well. So, Glen’s challenge is actually to cycle 500 miles, swim 1 mile, kayak 2 miles and run a marathon. Oh, and then he’s turning 40!

Glen says “I was really disappointed not to be able to do the London Marathon then this idea came to me which makes the whole challenge an Ultra Iron Man which is just my kind of challenge.” It all happens in May so Glen is now currently in the midst of a pretty brutal training regime which means he is burning up to 7500 calories a day which in turn means he is eating an awful lot of food. Glen says of his training “I have a professional swim coach, Pete Wilby, and a professional cycle coach, Ian Trevis and both have been hugely influential.” He added “Although this is a huge challenge I’m very excited about it and it’s great to be raising money for THHN. They are my chosen charity and I’m very passionate about the work that they do so thinking of how the money raised will help them really helps drive me.”

THHN provides free, fun-filled holidays for families who have seriously ill children, families who are bereaved, having lost a child or parent, and families who have a terminally ill parent. Luke Tillen, Founder and Chairman of THHN said “Glen is an absolute star. He supports us in so many ways and puts himself through incredible agonies all to raise money for us. Having someone as passionate and inspirational as Glen on our team gives everyone a boost. He really is an amazing man with a heart of gold.”

Glen could not do this challenge without huge help from a host of sponsors including Veritas Event Solutions, Charles Blake Associates, AT Electrical, Winners 2000 and Timber Frame South West. Another vital sponsor is Craig Fish of Fish Bikes who has given Glen a brand new bike for this challenge in return for a bit of personal training from Glen. It’s win win.

As well as the event itself Glen is also having a fun, fundraising evening at Pier Point in Torquay on Thursday 2 April. Tickets cost just £10 and include food, some great music and there will be an amazing raffle and auction. Tickets are available either from Glen at the gym, the THHN Memory Makers Shop in St Marychurch Precinct or by popping in to Pier Point.

Alternatively, if you are inspired by Glen’s story and would like to sponsor him please visit www.justgiving.com/Glen-Bevan2