A team of 120 triathletes are hoping to raise in excess of £50,000 for the charity DebRA this weekend as they embark on the 2007 Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon on 4th and 5th August.
DebRA is the national charity that supports families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) - a rare genetic condition which causes the skin to blister and shear at the slightest friction, or even spontaneously.
The annual swim-bike-run event from the ExCeL Centre in Docklands to Big Ben will attract some 11,000 competitors and this year DebRA is one of two charities awarded the top Gold Charity status.
Competitors have three levels of triathlon to choose from and the highest level – Olympic – involves a 1500m swim in the Royal Victoria Docks, followed by a 40k bike ride and 10k run. The bike course takes the competitors through Canary Wharf, along London’s embankment and past some of London’s most famous landmarks including the London Eye and a final turn at the Houses of Parliament. After four laps on the bike, the Olympic triathletes will then race for home in a loop around the Royal Victoria Docks, finishing in the ExCeL Centre itself.
On Saturday 4th August, a wave of over a hundred DebRA triathletes will set off at 3.15pm and on Sunday 5th August elite triathletes will compete for a record event prize fund of $80,000, the highest ever fund offered at the Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon.
Adam Shaw from Greetland, Halifax is participating in the DebRA wave’s Olympic category on behalf of his three year-old daughter Hollie who was born with Dystrophic EB. Last year, Adam successfully completed the Flora London Marathon and is hoping to repeat that success at this year’s London Triathlon and raise £1,500 for DebRA.
Adam says: “Like any other little girl of her age, Hollie loves to dance, play and have fun. The difference is if Hollie knocks herself or her clothes rub, her skin sometimes comes off. This hurts, but when it occurs in her mouth or throat it really hurts and she struggles to eat or drink until the pain dies down. I believe that without DebRA’s support, Hollie could not live her life to the full.
“The charity relies on fundraising events like this to carry out its vital work, improving lives and giving hope to families like mine.”
Jo Gambi, a mountaineering enthusiast from Chiswick, London is participating in the London Triathlon for the first time. In 2005, Jo and her husband Rob became the first married couple to climb the Seven Summits and ski to both the North and South Poles. What makes their story even more remarkable is that they achieved all this while Rob was in remission from his second bout of cancer. The intrepid adventurers, who have chronicled their adventures at www.robandjogambi.com are hoping to raise £2,000 for DebRA.
Michelle Donnelly from London, is taking part in six triathlons across the UK this summer to raise funds for DebRA. The London Triathlon is Michelle’s fifth triathlon out of six and she hopes to raise £3,500 for DebRA.
Footballer and DebRA supporter, Ian Wright, is backing Team DebRA this year.
Ian said: "Sport can change lives in so many ways. DebRA is a charity very close to my heart. I have met young people who live with the incredible pain of EB every day, yet have the drive and determination to be the best they can be."
Amanda McLean, Director of Fundraising and Communications, added: “We are incredibly proud to have been awarded Gold Charity status this year. We wish everyone taking part and fundraising for DebRA the very best of luck – their efforts will make a real difference to the lives of families living with EB.”
For more information about DebRA, please visit www.debra.org.uk.
