Newry man takes on Ironman challenge to raise funds and awareness for Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK (SRUK)
Tomorrow, Saturday, Newry’s Pearse Nelson will compete in IRONMAN 70.3 Cascais, Portugal, comprising a 1.9km swim, a 90km cycle and a 21.1km half marathon, all completed in one day.
Newry man takes on Ironman challenge in Portugal tomorrow to raise funds and awareness for Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK (SRUK)
A NEWRY man will take on a gruelling three-discipline endurance challenge in Portugal in support of Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK (SRUK), inspired by the courage and resilience of a family member living with scleroderma.
Engineering director Pearse Nelson is preparing to take on one of endurance sport’s toughest challenges to raise funds and awareness for those living with scleroderma.
Tomorrow, Saturday, he will compete in IRONMAN 70.3 Cascais, Portugal, comprising a 1.9km swim, a 90km cycle and a 21.1km half marathon, all completed in one day.
Pearse’s motivation comes from having witnessed the impact of scleroderma on a member of his family over many years and he hopes to turn that inspiration into something positive for others living with the condition.
He said: “These people are the true superheroes of our world. They don’t profess their challenges they just own them and carry on and function in a way the rest of us can’t possibly imagine. I love this family member and am in awe of them every time I see them and can only aspire to be as brave, selfless and strong as they are.”
Pearse hopes to take part in further fundraising challenges in the months and years ahead, but his immediate focus remains on Cascais and making a difference right now for the people and families of those living with scleroderma and Raynaud’s.
Gemma Cornwell, Head of Fundraising & Engagement at SRUK, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Pearse for taking on this demanding challenge in support of SRUK. His determination to turn a deeply personal experience into an opportunity to raise funds and awareness is a wonderful way to pay tribute to the courage and resilience of his family member.
“Every pound raised helps us continue our work funding vital research, raising awareness and supporting our community. We wish Pearse the very best of luck with his challenge and thank him for helping us make a difference to the lives of people affected by scleroderma and Raynaud’s.”
Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) is the only UK charity dedicated to improving the lives of people with Scleroderma and Raynaud’s phenomenon. We are fighting to improve awareness and understanding of these conditions so we can achieve faster diagnoses, better treatments and, ultimately, a cure. Their mission is to help people with scleroderma and Raynaud's to live as full and unlimited a life as possible by providing them with the information and support they need. With our community, we are campaigning to push scleroderma and Raynaud's to the top of the health and social care agenda.
To support Pearse’s fundraising efforts, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/pearse-nelson-1?utm