Men of steel cash in on their ‘super’ charity trek
APAIR of super-fit friends completed their own version of an iron-man triathlon to raise money for causes close to their hearts.
Lee Wilshaw and Tom Stott, both 25 and from Macclesfield, cycled 112 miles to Derby and back again and then ran a marathon around their home town.
Prior to that they had started the epic challenge with a 2.4-mile run instead of a swim as lockdown restrictions meant no outdoor open water was available.
All of this was done in one day - lasting from 6.30am to midnight - and so far has helped raise around £3,500 for three charities.
One is the Mark Worthington Foundation, set up in memory of Lee’s late boss to help give youngsters sporting opportunities
Mark, 52, from Poynton, who Tom also knew, died last year from a heart attack during a period where he was also training for an iron-man triathlon.
Another charity is Guide Dogs for the Blind as this was supported by Michael Raw, the dad of Lee’s best friend before he passed away earlier the year.
The final charity is the British Lung Foundation, chosen by Tom in memory of his best friend’s grandad Albert Waller.
Lee, who works as a football coach, said: “Me and Tom wanted to do something in lockdown, so he suggested an iron-man triathlon. When we finished I felt horrendous, it was three days before I was able to walk properly.
“We burned about 10,000 calories that day; the next two days I didn’t leave the sofa and burned about 50!”
Lee, from Hurdsfield, and Tom, who works as a garden centre sales executive and lives near Thornton Square, completed the triathlon last month.
Tom has also successfully taken on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge and has lost more than two stone since the start of 2020 to get in shape for his challenges and ahead of his marriage next year to fiancee Natasha Dilworth.
The money they raised will be handed over to the charities on Wednesday, August 5, so they are urging anyone who wishes to add to the sponsorship to do so this week.
To sponsor Lee and Tom visit www.justgiving.com/ c rowd f u n d i n g / l e e - wilshaw-michael-mark or www. justgiving. com/ crowdfunding/tomstottironman3peaksgritstone.