Ollie is pictured above in front of a fire engine at Bletchley Fire Station.
29 August 2008
Running a marathon is not an easy task at the best of times but doing it after a 2.4 mile swim and a 112 mile bike ride, and all in one day, is another matter.
This is the task one Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service firefighter has set himself, to help raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity.
Ollie Creighton, from Blue Watch, Bletchley Fire Station, is taking part in Ironman UK on Sunday 7 September, after securing a late entry.
With only six weeks to prepare he will join around 1,500 other athletes taking part in the gruelling event starting at 6am at Sherbourne Castle in Dorset. Ollie hopes to complete the course in less than 15 hours.
Ollie, now 23, joined the service in 2005 - at the time becoming Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s youngest firefighter at the age of 20.
This will be only the fourth competitive race for Ollie who started taking part in triathlons earlier this year.
“I retired from playing rugby just after Christmas and focussed my attention on triathlons. This is my first ironman competition and I am really looking forward to taking part.”
Ollie has been training hard all year and came seventh in his age group in the MK Triathlon in July. He also took part in the Three Peaks Challenge in June which involved climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 24 hours.
“As well as being a great personal achievement, it will spur me on knowing that I will also be raising money for such a worthwhile cause”.
Sponsorship for this demanding event would be gratefully received by Ollie, who hopes to make over £500 for charity. Cheques can be made payable to The Fire Fighters Charity or alternatively donations can be made online by logging on to http://www.justgiving.com/olliecreighton_ironmanuk2008
“All donations are secure and sent electronically to The Fire Fighters Charity, and if you are a UK taxpayer, Justgiving will add an automatic 28 per cent bonus to your donation at no cost to you. Please join me in supporting a fabulous cause,” said Ollie.
The Fire Fighters Charity is a national charity which provides assistance to serving and retired fire and rescue service staff, their families and dependants.