Incredible cross-Britain triathlon for Peterborough fundraiser

Getting by with a little help from his friends: Brett Jenkinson (48), Colin McKee (61) and Graham Duguid (65) who took on the Everest base camp challenge with him last year, Ali Brightey (45) of Porchester Close, Park Farm, got through his latest charity challenge last week.

Starting at Lake Windermere, builder Ali swam through the 12 degree waters, from the most southern point to the north of the lake, an 11-mile stretch with close friend Brett, who provided paddleboard safety support. Starting at 7am, Ali finished the swim in six-and-a-half hours.

He said: “It was not too cold in the water but when I finished the swim I was quite fatigued and very cold. As I got out, a stranger gave us £20 sponsorship which was a great motivator to get on the bike. Then I got straight onto the bike after a bit of fuel and then went 60 miles to just west of Carlisle.”

On day two, Ali set off on his bike with Graham, tackling the rest of his 280-mile journey to the base of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK. They set off at 6:30am through Glasgow and over Scottish mountains and northern hills to reach the mountain base.

With their clothes still wet-through, the pair started their third day bright and early to meet Colin and Brett at the base of Ben Nevis. Having already done 13,000ft of elevation on the bike ride, Ali, Colin and Brett now faced a 4,411ft upwards trek, with a yellow weather warning.

Ali said: “It was torrential downpour constantly with very high winds but we managed to get up and down and back to the campsite in around six-and-a-half hours. We’ve raised around £1,800 so far so I’m pleased and grateful to everyone that’s donated, it makes all the aches and pains worth it.

“We were soaking through at the end and in great spirits to have a well deserved meal in the local pub. I felt so proud of my support team, the guys were awesome and I felt lucky to have had the opportunity to raise some much-needed funds for mental health.”

Completing the mammoth triathlon in just 32 hours, Ali had been training for a year to take on an Iron Man triathlon but had to change plans amid the coronavirus lockdown.

He said: “During lockdown all of my triathlons were cancelled and I just got a little twitchy! A lot of charities use these events to bring in funds. All of my mates have put in some training to support me so I am eternally grateful. They were the only friends crazy enough to go with me to base camp at Everest, so I think now they’re up for anything.

“Mental health is so important so that’s why I’m raising money for MIND. I’ve had a couple of friends commit suicide and others who have suffered with their mental health.”

Setting his original target at £500, Ali knows as he asks his friends: ‘quite regularly’ for funds so wants to make any future charity challenges: ‘more extreme.’

Having slept most of Monday, Ali has recouped from his challenge and is already looking to the next one.

Ali hopes he can raise even more for MIND. To donate go to: https://justgiving.com/fundraising/windermere2nevis