Matt's challenge is strictly for ironmen
A THEME park worker will be pushing his body to the limits in a summer of gruelling tasks to help raise cash for charity.
Matt Wroe, of Hailwood Close, Adderley Green will be taking part in the UK Ironman challenge in July.
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STEELING HIMSELF: Matt Wroe, also below, is embarking on a summer of challenges to raise money for charity. Pictures: Shaun Smith
The challenge requires Matt to swim 2.4 miles, cycle 112 miles and run a 26.2-mile marathon over a time limit of just 17 hours.
And if that wasn't enough, the fitness fanatic has also signed up to climb 20,000 feet up Mount Kilimanjaro in a separate challenge.
Matt, aged 30, who works as an assistant accountant for Alton Towers, is aiming to raise at least £4,350 for Scope, a charity that works with disabled people across the country.
He said: "At the moment I'm feeling really good about everything. I know it sounds a difficult task, but to me failure is not an option.
"I've been training six days a week for two hours a day and it's going a lot better than I thought."
Determined Matt will begin his Ironman challenge on July 22 and will carry out the cycle, swim and run from 6am until 11pm.
The challenge must be completed within that time frame or he will face disqualification, but Matt, who stands at a towering six foot eight inches, feels he has what it takes.
Only last year he completed a bike ride from Alton Towers to Paris with a group of employees, covering an average of 100 miles a day and raising £5,000 for the Alton Towers Charity.
He added: "After doing the bike ride, it has made me more determined than ever.
"The only thing I worry about is my body frame, because I'm all muscle, and this impacts on my breathing."
Because of this, the Derby University student will wear an oxygen mask during his Kilimanjaro climb.
He will be climbing altitudes of up to 20,000 feet as part of a six-day trek in September.
Matt volunteered for Scope while at high school in Telford.
He said: "It really opened my eyes to the kind of work they do and made me realise how lucky I am."
Matt has also found time to participate in the Potters Arf Marathon in June.
He will be running the race with wife Kelly Wroe, aged 27.
She said: "The challenges are nothing new to Matt and I'm happy to support him along the way.
"I'm really proud of him and know his determination will pay off."
Donations can be made by following the link http://www.justgiving.com/ mattwroe or by text messaging WROE70 followed by the donation amount to 70070.
2 Comments
by mattwroe
Monday, February 13 2012, 1:53PM
“I will be wearing a mask that restricts oxygen when doing the Welsh 3000, Yorkshire 3 peaks and the 3 peaks between Ironman and Kilimanjaro for preparation - not wearing an oxygen mask up Kilimanjaro
I also Cycled from Alton Towers to Paris and back for Merlins Magic Wand whcih is a childrens charity.
Thank you so much for your help with this story and thank you to everyone that's read it and that have or will be donating. It is so greatly appreciated by myself and the charity”
by mattwroe
Monday, February 13 2012, 1:50PM
“I will be wearing a mask that restricts oxygen when doing the Welsh 3000, Yorkshire 3 peaks and the 3 peaks between Ironman and Kilimanjaro for preparation - not wearing an oxygen mask up Kilimanjaro
I also Cycled from Alton Towers to Paris and back for Merlins Magic Wand whcih is a childrens charity.
Thank you so much for your help with this story and thank you to everyone that's read it and that have or will be donating. It is so greatly appreciated by myself and the charity”