PAC to benefit from extreme triathlon challenge

Roland Kelly plans to complete four extreme iron distance triathlons in four months to support local charity Positive Action on Cancer.

Roland will swim a total of 7.5 miles, cycle 430 miles and run 101 miles up 56,500 feet (nearly twice the height of Mt Everest) over some of the highest mountains in the UK and Norway to raise money for PAC. He is taking on the challenge between June and September and hopes to raise a few thousand pounds for PAC.

Roland is a father of two, lives in Frome and is a member of the Frome Triathlon Club. Roland has been raising money for cancer charities since his mother-in-law died of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2008. He was inspired to raise money for PAC after his triathlon club chose PAC as their charity of the year for 2012. Roland is also being helped by bike specialists Live2Ride and The Triathlon Shop Bristol.

During the challenge Roland will compete in the Celtman Extreme Scottish Triathlon (the first ever long distance triathlon in Scotland) across the Scottish Highlands, the X-Man Extreme Triathlon (the first totally off-road long distance triathlon in the UK) overnight from Eastbourne to Salisbury, the Norseman Xtreme Triathlon in Norway (one of the toughest races on the long distance triathlon circuit) and finally the Scottish Coast to Coast, another non-stop race from Nairn on the east coast to Ballachulish near Glen Coe.

Kelly Hall, fundraiser at PAC said, “This challenge is totally inspiring. We are so pleased that Roland and Frome Triathlon Club have chosen to support us this year. The economic climate is really making it difficult for us to maintain our level of service, and the money raised by Roland will really make a difference to our work. We wish Roland the best of luck for his challenge and will be updating supporters of his progress via our blog.”

To sponsor Roland visit www.justgiving.com/4xtri. PAC is currently the only organisation to offer free professional counselling to any adults or children affected or bereaved by cancer and other life threatening illnesses in BANES, Somerset and West Wilts. If you would like further information about counselling, the work of the charity or fundraising please contact Karen Dufton, administrator at PAC on 01373 455255 or info@positiveactiononcancer.co.uk.