Students at Bradley Stoke Community School (BSCS) have completed a collective ‘Ironman in a school day’ challenge in support of a teacher who is planning to compete in an Ironman-distance triathlon in Eastbourne on 10th July 2022.
By taking part in the ‘IronBourne‘ event, BSCS physical education team leader Andy Young will raise money for the Luke Wheaton Legacy Trust, a charity created to honour the memory of former BSCS student Luke Wheaton who tragically lost his life in the 2020 Avonmouth explosion.
The Eastbourne event will be Mr Young’s first attempt at completing an Ironman-distance triathlon. He has been training for 30 weeks in preparation for the gruelling endurance event, which consists of a 2.4-mile (4km) sea swim, a 112-mile (180km) bike ride and a 26.2-mile (42km) run.
He has been supported in his training by the Everlast Bristol Filton gym, who kindly gave him a free 6-month membership. Mr Young has made frequent use of the swimming pool at the gym (sometimes twice a day) as well as doing weight training and attending spin classes.
He has also been supported with chiropractic and physiotherapy sessions from Willow Brook Clinic and a health & wellbeing assessment from Body Logic.
Students’ challenge
Monday 20th June 2002 saw 20 BSCS students help raise awareness of Mr Young’s fundraising efforts by completing in their own ‘Ironman in a school day’ challenge. The specially selected students, drawn from Years 7, 8 & 9, collectively completed:
- 152 lengths of Winterbourne Swimming Pool
- 112 miles on the spin bikes at Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre
- 104 laps of the 400m running track
Fundraising page
Speaking about his daunting challenge, Mr Young said:
“My motivation for doing this is to honour the memory of Luke – a much loved son, inspirational friend and passionate sportsman. He had recently started an apprenticeship at Wessex Water and sadly lost his life in the tragic Avonmouth accident in 2020 at the age of 16.”
“His legacy will live on as we [through the Luke Wheaton Legacy Trust] continue to support and encourage underprivileged young people on their journey through life, helping them to further their education outside of the class room, gain new skills, and stay active through exercise and local sports clubs, allowing them to achieve their full potential.”
Mr Young has set up an online GoFundMe fundraising page titled ‘IRONBOURNE ironman distance triathlon!‘. He has set himself a target of raising £2,000 for the Luke Wheaton Legacy Trust.
He has also organised a ‘guess my finish time‘ competition, with a variety of prizes up for grabs.
Memorial event
A memorial event for Luke Wheaton will take place on Saturday 25th June 2022, 2pm until late, at North Bristol Rugby Football Club, Oaklands, Gloucester Road, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4AG.
This family friendly event is open to all and has free entry.
Further details: Luke Wheaton Memorial Event
