Darren May, the novice triathlete raising money for charity, who featured in the Basingstoke Observer last week, managed to successfully complete the London Triathlon, despite only learning to swim a couple of months ago.
The 37-year-old father of two from Brighton Hill, completed the lung busting event in 1hr 33, placing him well into the top half of competitors – 837 out of 2000 athletes.
He undertook the Herculean task to raise money for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in Southampton which treated his daughter Kitty who suffered a life threatening heart condition.
He said: “I did suffer with cramp in my leg quite badly on the bike but I managed to run it off knowing my girls were waiting for me at the finish line.
“All the amazing support from the crowd and staff at the Excel Centre in London gave me a very emotional end to the day.
“I drove home after event and was fine the next morning but it felt like I had been hit all over with a baseball bat but I am sure it won't last long.”
His efforts meant he has raised £6740 for the Southampton Unit, but does not intend to stop there. He said he is definitely signing up again next year and also plans a bike ride next year between all the major PICU units in the south.
To support Darren and Southampton PICU visit www.justgiving.com/darren-may
