Triathlete tackles five countries

Advertisement

Triathlete tackles five countries

A man hopes to run, swim and cycle over 1,500 miles (2414km) across five countries for charity after his father was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Triathlete Matthew Bennett, 33, from Rossett, near Wrexham, plans to raise £250,000 for The Prostate Cancer Charity.

He will swim the Strait of Gibraltar, cycle through France and Spain, and run from London to Chester.

Mr Bennett's father, Martin, was diagnosed three years ago.

His triathlon will coincide with The Prostate Cancer Charity's first ever Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Olympic gold medallist rower James Cracknell, who completed the same challenge in 2008, has backed his campaign.

He said: "I understand how mentally and physically demanding this challenge will be.

"I wish Matthew all the best for this event and in his bid to raise such a huge amount of money for The Prostate Cancer Charity."

I feel excited about the challenge and raising awareness of prostate cancer - a cause that is close to my heart Matthew Bennett

Mr Bennett's father, Martin, was diagnosed with the disease three years ago, and has undergone radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

His son said: "I was inspired to do something to raise awareness of the disease, which is the most common cancer in men in the UK.

"The disease could affect your partner, father, son, uncle, brother, cousin or friend."

Mr Bennett, who has a one-year-old daughter and a newborn baby girl, will fly to Gibraltar before swimming the 12 miles (19km) to Morocco, on Friday 1 May.

He will return to Gibraltar before cycling about 1,400 miles (2,253km) to Calais.

After travelling back by ferry, he will then run about 180 miles (290km) from The Prostrate Cancer Charity's London offices to Chester.

He has been training since July 2008 and believes the swim across the Strait of Gibraltar will be the toughest part.

But he added: "I feel excited about the challenge and raising awareness of prostate cancer - a cause that is close to my heart."

Mr Bennett has been sponsored by local businesses including Bellis Brothers Farm Shop in Holt, near Wrexham, where he works as a manager.

His father's cancer is inoperable and he is now undergoing chemotherapy.