Raising funds 'To Hell and Back'
Paul Dewar is is cycling, swimming and running 1,600 miles over 21 days to raise £16,000 for disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in his local area.
Paul Dewar, who is 50 years old, starts his ultimate triathlon challenge on Bank Holiday Monday (2 May). He will cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats and then to Windermere - 1,350 miles – before swimming a chilly 10.5 miles of the lake. The following day, Friday 13 May, he will set off on the Brathay 10in10, ten marathons in ten days, a total of 262 hilly miles to finish his challenge on Sunday 22 May.
A runner since his schooldays and a member of the Ulverston Tri Club, Paul has completed four ironmen events, 70 marathons and the Brathay 10in10 in 2012.
But, says the Landlord of the Stan Laurel Inn, this self-made challenge of epic proportions - which he’s named ‘To Hell and Back’ - is by far the toughest he’s faced.
Describing it as a huge undertaking both physically and mentally, he said:
“I’ve trained as much as I can using every spare moment I have. I am not fast but I’m good at plodding away for a very long time. I’ve had huge amounts of support from my wife Trudi, the team here at the pub, fellow runners, customers, family and friends.
“I will do my best and in doing so I will try and raise as much money as possible for my local charity, Brathay Trust, so that they can support local children and young adults who have had incredibly hard lives and need help to turn things around.
“When you see the effects on children living in poverty on your own doorstep, and that’s 20 per cent in Barrow-in-Furness, rising to almost 50 per cent in some areas of the district, you have to do something to help.”
Paul Dewar will be wearing a tracking device so anyone interested in following his progress can do so via his website http://www.tohellandback.co.uk.
Brathay’s Head of Fundraising Scott Umpleby said:
“Paul has been a dedicated supporter of Brathay’s work since he first completed our 10in10 event in 2012. He undertakes these huge challenges of endurance with a much understated and modest approach – which, to those who don’t know Paul, hides a steely determination to keep going no matter what! Paul has already raised over £10,500 towards his £16,000 target – a significant contribution that will help many more children and young people”.
Anyone wishing to make a donation can visit https://www.justgiving.com/tohellandback1600