A family is set to embark on a ‘brutal’ triathlon challenge to raise money for charity, with support from the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
Sophie van Hooven and her brothers, Edward and James Bunce, have signed up to take part in the Brutal Extreme Triathlon in Llanberis, North Wales, in September, with hopes of raising £1,500 for the Alzheimer’s Society through sponsorship.
Sophie and Edward will travel from the Isle of Man, with all sailing costs covered by the Steam Packet Company, to meet up with UK-based James for the challenge.
The trio decided to take on the triathlon in Snowdonia National Park after their grandmother was diagnosed with dementia.
Sophie explained: ‘This is a charity that we feel very strongly about and one that is also very close to our hearts. Our lovely Grandma unfortunately has dementia and has recently been moved into fulltime care, as she was no longer able to live on her own.
‘We will each be taking on a leg of the triathlon, which consists of a 2.4-mile lake swim, 116-mile bike ride and a 25-mile run which finishes with an ascent and descent of Mount Snowdon. I'm the lucky one who gets to run!’
The Brutal Extreme Triathlon, voted the ‘World’s Toughest Triathlon’ by 220 Triathlon, takes place on 16th September. Sophie and her brothers have launched an online fundraising campaign and you can find out more and donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thebrutal.
She added: ‘We’d like to thank the Steam Packet Company for covering travel costs to and from the UK for the triathlon, which is a massive help as we try our best to raise as much as we can for the Alzheimer’s Society to support its important work.’
Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said: ‘Dementia is a devastating condition which has a huge impact on many families here in the Isle of Man and around the world. I was very impressed that Sophie, Edward and James, as a result of their personal experience, had decided to take on a huge physical challenge to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society and pleased we are able to help.
‘We regularly support dementia charities like the Alzheimer’s Society and, after our staff and crew received dementia awareness training from the Isle of Man branch, we welcomed a representative on board during Dementia Awareness Week earlier this year to speak to passengers.
‘I wish Sophie, Edward and James the best of luck with their challenge.’
Photograph: Edward Bunce and Sophie van Hooven with their grandmother
