A Huddersfield man is getting closer to cracking his Iron-man challenge, seven months after he began.
Birkby resident, Jack Edwards has certainly been going the distance for The Welcome Centre, for whome he has been raising money through nine gruelling events.
And he has saved the toughest challenge for the last, which will see him tackle the notorious Lake District Wasdale Iron Man event on September 28, to reach his £1,000 fundraising goal.
Jack, who lives in Halifax Old Road, took on the challenge to raise awareness surrounding the issue of increased demand at foodbanks in recent years.
He said: “I’ve been trying to do at least one event a month in the run up to the iron man, which have included running the Huddersfield marathon, walking the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall in 48 hours with a friend and the Wensleydale Cheese triathlon.
“The mini challenges were at times really hard. They managed to tax me physically and mentally but the idea was to try and test my ability and just keep going.
“I try to keep the idea of “just one more step” in my head, no matter how tired I get and fortunately so far I seem to have been able to push through it all.
In the process he was also crowned strongman at a regional competition hosted by a friend who helps with the UK strongest man event and met Brian Blessed who signed a book which will be auctioned off for charity.
Having already raised £590 he is gearing up to take on the iron man event, which he will undergo on his 35th birthday to try reach his £1000 target.
Jack said: “I’m very nervous. The Wensleydale tri was my tester to see if I can do a triathlon as I have never tried one before and although I felt good about my time the effort I had to put in was huge.
“Although I managed it I know that for the main event the water will be colder, the swim will be longer, the ride will be steeper and more than twice the distance and the run will absolutely test me to the limit.
“But I’m going to push through because people have donated so much to my challenge which will go to The Welcome Centre.
“I feel that a society that needs a charity to provide food, a basic need, to people, some of whom have jobs and an income is fundamentally flawed and there is something deeply wrong.
“That said, whilst I can’t do something immediate to alter this situation I can try and help those who are helping and working with those people in crisis.
“The centre provides some amazing support to people and they do this with a limited amount of resources.”
To donate to Jack’s challenge, go to: https:// www.mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jackironchallenge .
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