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22/7/2010 - Fireman turns Ironman for charity

Furness firefighter Gareth Brownson will be swapping his helmet and hose for a pair of trainers, a lycra swimsuit and a bike at the start of next month as he takes on one of the UK’s most prestigious endurance events –the Ironman triathlon.

Gareth, 31, from Ireleth, will be competing in the triathlon in Bolton on 1 August to raise money for the Fire Fighters Charity with the event consisting of a 2.4 mile swim, a gruelling 112 mile cycle, and finally a lung-busting 26.2 mile marathon.

Gareth, a firefighter on white watch at Barrow fire station, said: "I can’t wait to get started –it’ll be an accumulation of two years hard work and dedication to training. 

"A lot of my friends think I’m mad but I love pushing myself and testing how far I can take my body and there’s no greater challenge than the Ironman.

"I’ve been getting up at 4.30am for a 30 mile training ride before work, not drinking on works nights out because of a two hour run the next day and jumping in Coniston Water to practise open water swimming while tourists looked a bit bemused at me swimming in the cold water clad in a snazzy neoprene and lycra wetsuit.

"I couldn’t have done this without the help and support of my wife Deborah and two boys Josh and Jake. There have been times when I have been so tired with the volume of training, doing a full time, physically demanding job and being a full time dad and husband and then sometimes being injured, that it felt like it wouldn’t happen. 

"But their continued love and enthusiasm for this very 'selfish' sport has got me to the start line and will hopefully see my right through to the finish. 

"And of course it wouldn't have been the same without the lads at the fire station, with their own unique brand of support. It must have taken a while to get used to the sight of a bloke wearing full lycra and eating rabbit food at every meal break!

"The Fire Fighters charity is vital to me and all other fire fighters in Cumbria and the UK because every year, thousands of firefighters across the country are injured while protecting the public and putting their lives on the line."

Cumbria’s Chief Fire Officer, Dominic Harrison, said: "Gareth is a great example to us all. Having a goal like competing in the Ironman triathlon would be daunting for most people but he’s faced it with his typically fearless attitude.

"The Fire Fighters Charity carries out fantastic work across the country and Gareth’s fundraising will help them to support injured firefighters, fire support staff and their families."

Every 30 seconds in the UK, firefighters are called to an incident, often sustaining physical injuries while carrying out their duties. The Fire Fighters Charity helps thousands of individuals every year by offering treatment and support.

The charity has three UK centres - located in Cumbria, Devon and West Sussex - which offer varying combinations of therapy and recuperation services. It costs over £9million every year to fund the charity, which is completely reliant on donations from the general public and fire community.

To sponsor Gareth visit www.justgiving.com/ironmangazthis external link will open in a new window and to find out more about the Ironman triathlon visit www.ironmanuk.comthis external link will open in a new window

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Chris Little on 01228 226335.