IT’S the final Countdown for Paralympian Lyndon Longhorne in his bid to become the first quadruple amputee to complete an Ironman Triathlon in under 24 hours.
And the remarkable North East athlete has been boosted by a second £10,000 donation from a charitable trust – along with a good luck message from TV personality Carol Vorderman.
However, the courageous 29-year-old has gone on to become a record-breaking swimmer and achieved his dream by representing Team GB in The Paralympics, in Tokyo, in 2021.
In his latest challenge, he will be embarking on an Ironman Triathlon in Liverpool this Sunday (August 31), tackling a 2.4-mile open water swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon over 26.2 miles.
His custom-built racing wheelchair has been funded through a £10,000 grant from the Jessica Bethell Charitable Foundation, launched ten years ago by North Yorkshire racehorse trainer, James Bethell, and his wife, Sally, after they lost their daughter to meningitis when she was just 24.
The wheelchair has now been officially handed over at the Bethell’s home in Middleham, and the couple surprised Lyndon by announcing that a further £10,000 would be donated by the foundation to one of his charities, Meningitis Now.
Carol Vorderman, who started her television career on Countdown, is a friend of the Bethell family, and she was at the handover to wish Lyndon well.
Carol said: “Lyndon really is an inspiration. Whenever any of us thinks ‘I can’t do that – I don’t have the energy’ we should think of Lyndon and just do it! He is a remarkable person and it’s been a privilege to meet him.”
James and Sally added: “We are all wishing Lyndon the very best of luck and willing him to break the record. We’re delighted to have been able to help him on his incredible journey.”
Lyndon was joined at the handover of the wheelchair by Countess Charlotte Peel, a trustee of the charitable foundation, which has raised more than £500,000 for meningitis research and local good causes over the past decade.
The handover was also attended by Mark Pinsent, Sales and Marketing Manager of Woodlands Hospital, in Darlington, which has provided financial and practical support to Lyndon.
Lyndon, who has committed to a gruelling training schedule involving 10-hour daily sessions, is being backed in his record bid by a team of experts from Liverpool John Moores University.
He is aiming to raise £30,000 to be split between Meningitis Now and men’s mental health charity, Andy’s Man Club.
Lyndon said: “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done but the training has gone to plan, and it’s all systems go for Sunday.
“It couldn’t have happened without the overwhelming support I’ve had from James and Sally through the Jessica Bethell Charitable Foundation. I’m absolutely blown away by their kindness, and to have the backing of a celebrity like Carol Vorderman, who has been so lovely, makes me even more determined to break the record.
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“I’m also grateful to the other organisations, like Woodlands Hospital, that have supported me – it means so much.”
Lyndon starts his record bid at 10am on Sunday, with the swim taking place around a course in Liverpool Dock. He hopes to finish some time on Monday morning, and you can follow his progress on a special 24-hour live blog at www.northernecho.co.uk
- To support Lyndon go to: www.givestar.io/gs/first-quad-amputee-sub-24hr-ironman-triathlon
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