Swimming Club Members To Tackle Triathlon Relay In aid Of Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund

Six members of Beverley Barracudas Swimming Club are to complete a continuous 12-hour triathlon relay as they look to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.

On the 22nd June 2014, their challenge will be to swim, cycle and row as a relay team continuously for 12 hours from starting at 8.30am finishing at 8.30pm in front of fellow team mates.

Hannah Falkinder, Lauren Cooke, Ellie Mason, Kezia Barnard, Antonia Brittain and Lottie Brocklesby will take on their fund raising challenge at the Beverley Leisure Centre.

After help from Lauren’s mum Jenny Stonehouse, who is also the head coach for Beverley Barracudas Swimming Club the girl’s fund raiser has become a reality.

Speaking ahead of the challenge Hannah said;

“We are all really grateful to Jenny for arranging the venue. Beverley Leisure Centre has also been great pledging their support by letting us use the facilities.”

“Also we are all very grateful to everyone who has given us advice and sponsorships. Anyone can come along and sponsor us on the day or sponsor us through our Just Giving page.”

They chose to raise money for the Diabetes Research Fund for a reason that is very close to each of their hearts, Hannah explained;

“We picked this charity because Ellie, one of our team members, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes a year ago, and we thought it would be a good idea to help raise money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund.”

For the six of them this will be the first time they have taken on such a challenge. Their involvement with Beverley Barracudas means fitness levels should be high as they train regularly and compete with one of the top clubs in the region.

Lottie goes into the event with some experience of endurance events, she said;

“Collectively we have not done anything like this before. I have some experience of taking part in longer events when I completed a sponsored 5k swim in aid of Marie Curie. However, it is fair to say it was not as challenging as this one is going to be.”

“We will probably swim about 72km collectively, and will be doing four hours in the gym, 12 hours total. “

“When it gets to the eight-hour point it will get increasingly difficult, especially for Ellie, who has type 1 diabetes and has to constantly check her blood sugar during exercise.”

All being well they will complete their challenge in the pool alongside other members of their club concluding their 12-hour relay at the end of the training session.