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TRI-4-LIFE CHANNEL DREAMERS
Total Fitness in Prenton was the venue for the epic ongoing
fundraising efforts of two tri-4-life sporting legends Steve McHugh
and Martin Pritchard Howarth as they set their sights on individual
solo Channel Swim crossing later this year.
Steve will be attempting the crossing under the Channel Swimming
Association none wet suit rules in June, and Martin as part of his solo
Arch to Arc attempt in August.
Sunday 8th April brought together a whole community of family and
friends from tri-4-life, MerseyTri and the Paul Lavelle Foundation to
support these truly worthwhile charity challenges.
As Steve and Martin started their 1000 length and 25km solo swim
in the pool, their friends and team mates started a continuous eleven
hour relay of treadmill running, static cycling and bucket shaking in the
reception area of Total Fitness. A number of the team also joined Steve
and Marty in the pool on a rotation of support with their swim. Dave
Walton clocked 23km alongside his mates. Nearly 300 miles of cycling
and 100 miles were achieved by the team, raising another £700 for the
nominated charities.
Steve and Martin have been friends for many years, having met through
MerseyTri and tri-4-life whilst training and completing many Ironman
distance races. They both decided to do something a little different this
year for causes close to their hearts.
Martin who is raising money for CALM, The Samaritans (Merseyside
Branch) and Team Rubicon said: “I am attempting to raise £9618. This
amounts to £1 for every day my Brother Dave was alive. I rarely talk
about him as I hate people feeling sorry for me. On 16th January 1997
he killed himself. He was newly married, a Police Officer and about to
become Godfather to his first Nephew. He was 26 years old. We never
found out why, brave or selfish? How could we have prevented it? Why
couldn’t he speak to us? I have been wrestling with these questions,
amongst others for the past 21 years. This single event ripped the heart
out of my family and as I turn 50 this year I am hoping that the challenges
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I’m undertaking for three worthy charities give me some closure and
allow me to talk more openly about this personal tragedy and the wider
plight of others who have faced or dealt with similar issues or personal
catastrophe. 84 men a week take their own lives and it is now the leading
cause of death in men under the age of 45. I have been amazed how
many friends and family have been affected by suicide since I started the
fundraising this year - a sad reflection of the stigma attached and our
unwillingness and inability to talk about it.”
Steve is raising money for The Paul Lavelle Foundation, Clatterbridge
Cancer Centre, Stick and Step. He said: “Thank you all for your support
in the memory of my dear late friend Paul Lavelle, a.k.a The Prince who
was killed in tragic circumstances. I am an active member of tri-4-life
that provides multisport events for participants and their families and
encourage fundraising along the way.
“I am also a member of MerseyTri which is an organisation of
enthusiastic swimmer, cyclists and runners in the ever-growing field of
triathlon and multisport. I am attempting the massive challenge to solo
swim the English Channel and raise £10,000 towards multiple charities.
This is a self-funded event that is considered to be the ultimate long-
distance challenge. It is approximately 21 miles, but there are variable
conditions that are likely to be encountered potentially extending this
distance to 30 miles. It is also one of the busiest shipping lanes in the
world with 600 tankers passing through and 200 other vessels passing
daily.”
Liam Hanlon tri-4-life Director said: “It is an honour and privilege for
the team to support these amazing challenges. 2018 is a massive year for
these guys, motivating and inspiring others, raising funds for charities
whilst making history”.
You can support Steve and Martin’s Channel Swim & Arch to Arc Charity
Challenge 2018 by donating at:
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MartinPritchardHowarth
https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SteveMcHugh2