AN NHS worker has challenged herself to complete five sprint triathlons in just eight days to raise vital funds for Nightingale House hospice.
This means Helen Massey, who lives in Wrexham, will have just a day to recover between each triathlon consisting of a 750 metre lake swim, a 12 mile cycle from Hope to Wrexham and back, followed by a 5km run.
58-year-old Helen, whose motto is "age isn't how old you are just how old you feel, is an NHS worker who works in the community in Flintshire and also a member of the Squash Wales Masters team.
Through her work she knows what desperate times these are for Nightingale House in terms of raising funds during the coronavirus pandemic, and she wanted to do something to help.
Helen loves to cycle
Ahead of starting her challenge tomorrow morning, Helen said: "I have done three or four triathlons in the past, and these sprint triathlons are half the distance of a full triathlon.
"Because most of our fundraising events have been obviously curtailed because of the present climate, what I decided to do was that I'd use my fitness somehow. I wanted to challenge myself and I also wanted to raise money and awareness for Nightingale House. So what I came up with is a triathlon every other day for a week, or just over a a week.
"I am quite competitive and I so aspire to do full triathlons, I run, I play squash for Wales, I do allsorts to stay fit. "
Helen Massey
She added: "With Nightingale House hospice being in Wrexham it is a cause close to my heart, friends who have had parents who have been there. They are just such lovely people, so if I'm ever doing something I do try and raise money for the hospice.
Central to Helen's challenge is the community park in Hope, where she will begin and end her triathlons.
Set in an ancient Welsh landscape on the border of Flintshire and Wrexham, the park comprises 120 acres of outstanding natural beauty offering woodlands and wetland.
And, most importantly a magnificent 35-acre lake, where Helen will be carrying out the swimming stints of her triathlons.
She has been making regular posts on social media in the run up to the challenge.
Helen Massey after a swim at Hope Lake
She posted "Another exhilarating swim in this beautiful lake. Last training day before I begin my week of Triathlons on Saturday. Still lots of time to sponsor me!"
Helen added that she is competitive by nature and hopes to set some strong times despite being the only runner in the race.
She said: "Being the competitive person I am, I've just put enough pressure on myself to achieve faster times as I go through the week. But I like the fact I'm not racing against anybody, all I'm doing is raising funds for Nightingale House."
Nightingale House in Wrexham
Usually, Helen and her friends would have had other fundraising challenges lined up through 2020, and she is pinning her hopes on being able to travel to Peru later this year to raise more money for the hospice.
Helen Massey
One her JustGiving Page, Helen adds: "This November, myself and a group of other adventurers are walking the 54km of the Inca Trail in Peru in aid of Nightingale House Hospice, Wrexham.
"Due to the current Covid-19 situation, charities have been impacted due to the postponement and cancellation of fundraising events. Due to the importance of charity donations in the running of the Hospice, any donations would be hugely appreciated."
To support Helen's fundraising efforts for Nightgale House visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helen-massey2
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here