Dentist Simon Betts will grit his teeth next week and take on one of the world’s toughest challenges.
Dr Betts, of the Brighouse Fresh Smile Clinic, will push himself to the limit to raise funds for one of Huddersfield’s most valued charities, Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.
This year’s epic Ironman Triathlon will take place in Denmark’s historic capital Copenhagen and Dr Betts will be joined by his brother Tom as they sweat blood and tears whilst navigating their way through the picturesque town with fellow athletes in front of 150,000 cheering fans on August 23.
The 12-hour challenge involves a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and and finally an unforgiving 26 mile marathon.
Dr Betts said: “My brother Tom and I are extremely proud to be raising money for Forget Me Not. It’s a local charity which means a lot to all of us. They do amazing work and its crucial children’s hospices like this are funded to keep supporting families in need during extremely difficult times.
“Training for an Ironman almost takes over your life. Every spare hour you have seems to be gobbled up with training. For the last year I’ve been training around 10-12 hours a week trying to fit this around work.
“I feel I am ready to go and just want to get to race day. Our goal was always to just complete an Ironman, and there is a 15 hour cut off time. If we finish in 14 hours 59 minutes and raise money for Forget Me Not, we will be the happiest men alive!”
Since signing up to the Ironman a year ago, Dr Betts has completed a number of triathlons, climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and is determined to do the charity and his colleagues proud.
The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice supports 150 children and their families, across Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield, through its hospice at home service and state of the art hospice, Russell House, located in Brackenhall, Huddersfield.
Senior Community Fundraiser, Lucy Burnett, said: “An Iron Man Triathlon is no easy undertaking and everyone at Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice will be getting behind Dr. Betts’ challenge and we are confident that the community will do the same.
“He is incredibly brave taking on one of the world’s toughest physical contests, and through this he will be helping out families who take on their own extraordinary challenges every day”.
