Nick Franklin during one of his previous fundraising challenges. Picture supplied

Nick takes on five-day iron man challenge

Nick Franklin will be running, swimming and cycling his way to raising £5,000 as he takes on five half iron man challenges over five consecutive days.

The mammoth challenge has been inspired by Nick’s dad Graham who died from a heart attack in 2009 and his in-laws Geoff and Lynda, who have both survived cancer.

From March 20-24, Nick will swim 1.2 miles, cycle 56 miles and run 13.1 miles every day for five days.

He will be raising money for the British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research and West Norfolk Mind.

Nick said: “My father was an active man, ate a reasonably healthy diet and did not smoke. He liked a drink but he drank very much in moderation.

“Since his death we have gone on to raise over £9,000 for the British Heart Foundation.

“We have achieved this through a number of events including a memorial football match, cake stalls and various donations at different points.

“The bulk of the money raised has come from myself doing multi-day endurance events including a 48-hour continuous cycle on a stationary spin bike and the Three Peaks Challenge, a 140-mile cycle ride, a 95-mile cycle ride and a 35-mile run over five consecutive days.”

Then in 2014 and 2015 Nick’s mother and father-in-law were given the devastating news that they had cancer.

Nick added: “Fortunately both survived and although they have undergone vigorous treatments over many months and have both had life changing operations they have gone on to lead pain-free and normal lives thanks to the amazing work of the doctors and nurses who treated them.

“It is safe to say that both British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK do amazing work and the funds raised continue to go towards vital research leading to amazing breakthroughs in how to reduce the many people that still die from these horrible illnesses.

“Another charity I am very keen to raise money for and I feel do amazing work is West Norfolk Mind.

“Mental health cannot just be categorised as one particular aspect, mental health covers an umbrella of issues people may have.

“They offer amazing support in and around the King’s Lynn area, supporting people in many ways with mental health issues, depression and bereavement.”

Nick now lives in King’s Lynn but is previously from Holbeach, where his mum Sue still lives.

She works at the Horse and Groom where Nick will finish his iron man challenge between 4pm and 5pm on March 24.

There will be a buffet and the winners of the pub’s Guess The Event Time and Numbers competition will be announced. Everyone is welcome to go along.

If you want to sponsor Nick, you can contact him on 07970 185275, call his mum Sue on 07593 784906 or give a cash donation at the Horse and Groom pub, High Street, Holbeach.

You can also donate online at www.virginmoneygiving.com/nickfranklin

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