A PENSIONER whose life was torn apart by a family tragedy is taking on a triathlon to help him cope with his grief.

William Barrett, from Crook, County Durham, has struggled to come to terms with the death of his 21-year-old grandson Sam Barrett in March 2014.

At times the previously energetic 73-year-old was too depressed to leave the house and spent his days and nights on the couch watching television.

However, earlier this year, he decided to regain control of his life and joined the gym at Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre in Bishop Auckland.

He has found great solace in exercise and has now decided to take it one step further by taking on a triathlon in aid of the National Autistic Society, a cause close to the Barrett family’s hearts.

If Mr Barrett completes the challenge, his achievement will be all the greater as he has undergone two knee replacement operations in recent years.

Mr Barrett, a retired concrete plant supervisor formerly of Esh Winning, said: “After Sam died I had to go for counselling, I was in such an awful state. The day he died and the day of his funeral were the two worst days of my life.

“I didn’t want to do anything or go anywhere anymore. A few months ago I decided I need to give myself a kick up the backside and so I joined the gym. I did a lot of running when I was younger and was a member of Crook and District Running Club until my second knee operation.

"I’ve done a triathlon before and I’ve been doing a lot of training, but I know it’s going to be tough.”

Mr Barrett hopes to complete the triathlon at Woodhouse Close Leisure Centre next month. It will comprise a one mile swim, a 20km bike ride and an hour on the cross trainer.

“Last time I did it I ran on the treadmill but I can’t do that this time because of my knees,” he said. “I will spend the time I would have spent running on the cross trainer instead.”

When the great-grandfather-of-two is not training for the triathlon, he likes to spend time in his garden, where he has installed a memorial plaque for Sam.

“It’s a very peaceful place,” he said. “I like to go there every day. It helps me.”