Supporter Pat Lewis was determined that nothing was going to stop him raising money for Hope House, even when his sponsored Triathlon was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Pat, who is originally from Welshpool but has recently moved to Condover, near Shrewsbury, has taken part in the Montgomery Canal Triathlon for the past 3 years with his nephews Jonathan and Tim.

May 2 was supposed to be the fourth time that the team tackled the event, which starts at Newtown and includes a 17 mile cycle along the towpath, before an 11 mile walk, and then a seven mile row that finishes as the Montgomery canal meets the Llangollen canal midway between Oswestry and Ellesmere.

“I had planned to do it this year to raise money for Hope House because Margaret Pepper, the President of Welshpool Inner Wheel, had picked Hope House as her chosen charity for the year,” said Pat.

“Between us we had raised almost £3,000 in sponsorship so when the event was cancelled I had to think of a different way of completing it at home.”

Pat decided to cycle 17 miles on his exercise bike, and do the 11 mile walk near to his home in Condover Park, observing social distancing regulations. He climbed aboard his rowing machine to finish the challenge.

I had to crawl!

“I started at 8am and I finished at 6.30pm and by then I could hardly get off of my water rower! I had to crawl on my hands and knees,” laughs Pat.

“It wasn’t as much fun as doing it with my nephews and their friends because we have a lot of banter and it’s a really sociable and enjoyable day. We also end up in the pub for a celebration meal.

“But it was important to carry on because I know Hope House is going to lose at least £1 million in fundraising through events being cancelled and I know it is a real struggle at the moment.

“I am hoping that, with Gift Aid, we will raise over £4,000. I only wish it could be more.”

If you can spare a few pounds to support Pat’s fantastic fundraiser please go to his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/pat-lewis2