Russell completes 24-hour triathlon in aid of charity

A Ceredigion man has gone and done it again after completing a second extreme fitness challenge – a 24-hour triathlon!

At the start of the initial lockdown in 2020 Russell Williams set himself the huge challenge of completing an Ironman in his conservatory, which raised an incredible £4,400 for three good causes.

The dad-of-two, said: “I love a challenge, my ironman in a conservatory seemed a long time ago, so it was time to go a step further and try something else.”  

Russell took on a 24-hour triathlon which consisted of 9km swim (360 lengths), 170-mile bike ride and 27 mile run in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance, Cardigan Swimming Pool and for triathlete Nathan Ford who suffered life changing injuries after a freak bike accident last year.

Russell is delighted to have so-far raised £3,500 for the good causes. He added: “In these hard times I’m extremely grateful and humbled that people are still willing to give and support me in raising money for these worthy causes.”

Now operational 24/7, the Charity needs to raise £8 million every year to keep the helicopters flying.

Wales Air Ambulance offers advanced critical care and is often described as a ‘Flying ED’. The on-board consultants and critical care practitioners are highly skilled and carry some of the most pioneering medical equipment in the world. They can deliver blood transfusions, administer anaesthesia, and undertake emergency operations at the scene of the incident, before flying the patient directly to specialist care.

Reflecting on how the 24hour challenge went, Russell said: “Exceptionally well, despite bad weather, heavy wind, and rain, I had people with me supporting for the most of the duration. I had a friend swim the distance with me, multiple people joined in at different points of the bike section. A group of friends joined me in the early hours to run the full distance with me, and lots more joined in towards the end, so I had plenty of support and motivation.” 

Russell, from Penparc hasn’t always been one to exercise but following his heart attack at the age of 28, in 2008, it made him more determined to live life to the full. A few years later he started exercising. 

He said: “Having a heart attack so young certainly gave me a different outlook on life, you just need to believe to achieve. A school friend of mine is a cancer survivor and he told me, when I was ill, to keep living, breathing and believing.” 

Dougie Bancroft, Wales Air Ambulance’s community fundraiser, said: “As we know Russell is no stranger to pushing his body to the limit for charity. Once again, he has taken on a huge challenge, which most people would shy away from and successfully completed it. Thank you, Russell for choosing the Wales Air Ambulance as one of the causes to benefit from your fundraiser. Your continued support of our lifesaving charity is much appreciated. You’re helping us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.”  

There’s still time to show your support to Russell by donating via his Just Giving fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/24hourtri

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com. 

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.