A FORMER rugby player who took up ironman triathlons to raise money in memory of a former teammate is taking part in his seventh – and biggest yet.
Murray Bishop, from Downend, is set to swim 3.8 kilometres then cycle 180km and run a marathon in the Iron Man Wales Triathlon.
His first triathlon was only in May this year.
As he started the challenge, Murray said: “It has been a turbulent few years for me recently, and those that know me will know that the answer to turbulence is sport and fitness.
“So 2024 is the year when a 50-year-old asthmatic will take on the triathlon challenge to prove that this fitness is real and that I am still young.”
Murray is raising money for charity Young Lives vs Cancer, in memory of his former teammate at Old Bristolians rugby club, Robbie Stuart, who died of leukaemia in 2008, aged 28.
Murray said: “I’m really proud to be doing my bit to help this amazing charity.
“The support Young Lives vs Cancer provides is vital for children and young people with cancer and is a brilliant help to their families, too.”
Murray took part in four triathlons in May, one in June and one in July ahead of the final event in late September around Tenby in Pembrokeshire.
Young Lives vs Cancer helps children and young people aged up to 25 who have been diagnosed with the disease, and their families.
It was formed in 2005 from the merger of Bristol-based CLIC and another children’s cancer charity, the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for children, and was known as CLIC Sargent until 2021.
CLIC was set up by Frenchay businessman Bob Woodward after he lost his 11-year-old son Robert to neuroblastoma in 1977.
The charity’s social workers offer specialist support, its ‘Homes from Home’ offer families a free place to stay near hospitals and it gives financial support to cover extra travel, food and clothing costs.
Last year the charity helped 54 children and young people with cancer in the Bristol area, giving out 75 grants totalling £17,759 to local families. Bristol is home to two Young Lives vs Cancer Homes from Home, CLIC House and Sam’s House, which accommodated 125 families last year – the longest stay was 361 days.
The charity’s Bristol fundraising and engagement manager, Sophie Hartley, said: “We rely entirely on donations to fund our vital work and so we can’t thank Murray, and his fellow Old Bristolian Rugby club members enough for their fantastic support.”
Donations to Murray’s fundraising challenge can be made online at tinyurl.com/rb3ux5fd