It would stand to reason that someone who doesn’t like water, is an inconsistent cyclist and a slow runner should tackle a triathlon to raise money for charity.
That’s exactly what Mandie Thorpe set her sights on to complete a bucket list challenge before her 50th birthday and raise hundreds of pounds for the Veterans’ Foundation.
She trained hard for a sprint triathlon that comprised a 300-metre pool swim, a 17km cycle and 3km run at the Reef Leisure Centre at Sheringham in Norfolk, all in aid of the Veterans’ Foundation, the partner charity of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) where she has worked for 24 years.
“It’s been on my bucket list for a few years, and I decided this was the year to bite the bullet and give it a go,” said Mandie, who did the event in October, well ahead of her milestone birthday next August.
Her training was coordinated by a coach, who launched a competition to find a worthy subject for free sports coaching.
“I’m not a good swimmer. In fact I don’t like water. I’m not into cycling and I didn’t really run much. So when I told him that I think he saw me as a challenge and decided to take me on,” said Mandie.
Mandie followed a programme of activities every week to ensure she could complete the course, which she smashed in under two hours.
“Some women finished in just over an hour, but I was happy with my efforts and very glad to finish.”
Mandie set out with a fundraising target of £250 but more than doubled that for the Veterans’ Foundation, with funds still coming in.
The Foundation’s Partnership and Fundraising Manager, Sarah Elliott, said: “We are tremendously grateful to Mandie for supporting us. What an inspiration she is to others who want to push the envelope for themselves and their fundraising efforts.
“What she did on our behalf is no mean feat. The armed forces community will benefit from her challenge through the grants we’ll award with the funds.”
Mandie works at the DIO, which chose the Veterans’ Foundation as its fundraising partner earlier this year. The DIO has since raised thousands of pounds through events, including £55,000 through a sponsored cycle ride across northern France led by its CEO, Mike Green, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings.
