A TRIO of local lads have set themselves a near 300 mile ultra-triathlon relay challenge across the English Channel and through three European countries for charity.
When the Standard sat down with 24-year-old Bromsgrove barber shop owner Declan Ball, 23-year-old Bromsgrove based construction firm owner Dylan De Sousa, and 23-year-old plumber George Creed from Sutton Coldfield they seemed ready for the challenge.
To complete the relay, Declan will swim 21 miles unassisted across the English Channel, George will run 50 miles along the French coast into Belgium and Dylan will cycle 200 miles through Belgium and the Netherlands into Germany.
A crowdfunder has been set up by the trio in a bid to raise £10,000 to be shared between homeless charity, The Basement Project in Bromsgrove and mental health support charity, My Black Dog.
So far the three have raised £2,150.
The three are spurred on by the motivation behind the challenge – to put themselves through discomfort to raise funds for people who are less fortunate than themselves. One stroke, one step, one rotation at a time.
Dylan told the Standard: “We’re doing this to better the community and help people who are in a worse situation than us.
“We’re going to be going through a lot of pain but probably no where near what people feel on a daily basis, whether that be through homelessness or severe mental health challenges.”
Declan and Dylan have been training for around 18 months between them while George was brought in late, just two weeks ago, after another lad had work commitments which put him out of the race.
Dylan said: “You just have to trust the process. I don’t think any of us are going to be smiling through it, they’re all massive challenges but its exciting.”
George has only three months to train before the expected September start date.
George: “I am quite nervous with the short time window to train but that is quite an exciting thing as well.
“I know how much work the lads have put into it also so I’m supporting my mates.”
The trio have been given a two week window in which the weather dependent channel crossing could begin.
From there, the race is on for Dylan and George to get to their starting points to take up the baton from their relay partner.
Declan, who has arguably the most grueling aspect of the challenge, said: “I’ve had multiple moments where I’ve been panicking but then you prove to yourself you can do.”
Alongside the physical challenge, the lads have highlighted the intense logistical planning needed to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Dylan added: “We’re quite lucky we’ve got people around who are there to support us.”
The group are now calling on local businesses to offer a helping hand.
Declan said: “If companies are interested we’re going to look at putting logos on the bike and on the wetsuit and things like that.
“Showing support, financial or otherwise, is spot on.”
The journey is expected to take the trio between two and three days. You can follow the trio’s preparations @tri.ultra.relay on Instagram.
Visit https://triultrarelay.wixsite.com/charity for more information.
Visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-triultra-relay to donate.
