Now in its eleventh year, the Woburn Abbey Triathlon – organised by registered charity tri for life, and delivery partner, Human Race events – has raised over £2.4m for its charity partners.

Taking place on 8^th and 9^th September, the weekend of family fun, sporting challenge, and fundraising will bring over two thousand triathletes to the stunning Bedfordshire backdrop, with all profits from the event being donated to charity.

Since its inception, tri for life and the Woburn Abbey Triathlon have enabled a whole host of incredible projects to be completed for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH) and Melanoma Focus, the two key charity partners, as well as many other beneficiary charities.

• £150,000 has been raised so far for GOSH, which has been used to build a waiting room area and an interview room in the Lung Function Unit. This facility is designed for children requiring specialist tests for a range of conditions including cystic fibrosis and asthma or bone marrow transplants.
• £300,000 has been donated to Rays of Sunshine Children’s Charity who grant wishes for seriously and terminally ill children across the UK. This has helped fulfil more than 300 wishes for brave and deserving young people, giving them the chance to put their illness on hold and enjoy a moment of escape.
• Over £50,000 has been given to Breakthrough Breast Cancer, funding the work of a research scientist looking into different types of cancer cells in order to develop new, targeted treatments for breast cancer.
• £60,000 was donated to Whizz-Kidz, funding over 17 bespoke wheelchairs for disabled children across the UK.
• £30,000 has been raised for Teenage Cancer Trust funding vital nursing care in specialist units for young people with cancer.
• Over £30,000 also been donated to the Tavistock Trust for Aphasia, founded by the late 14^th Duke of Bedford.

Five-year-old Jayla Hepton, now a regular participant in the Scootathlon at the Woburn Abbey Triathlon, is one of the patients who benefited from the fantastic GOSH facilities. Born with a complicated heart condition, Jayla underwent surgery when she was just a baby, with the doctors and specialist nurses supporting the family along the way. Jayla’s recovery has been impressive, and she is now a lively and energetic young girl who loves her scoot, bike, run challenge every September.

The Woburn Abbey Triathlon incorporates a lake swim set in front of Woburn Abbey itself, a picturesque cycle route through the surrounding park and countryside, and stunning views across the deer park on the run. Possibly one of the grandest transition areas is situated directly in front of the Abbey, and a buzzing event village offers a range of family fun throughout the weekend.

“The Woburn Abbey Triathlon has massively evolved since the first event in 2008 which was a simple single distance triathlon, with just a few hundred people attending,” says tri for life trustee Marcus Anselm. “This year we are expecting over 2000 competitors and now have our very own middle-distance event, the 220 Triathlon WoBurner, three different triathlon distances, a kids Scootathlon, Junior triathlon events and a host of entertainment in the event village.”

“However, the essence of the event remains the same, a multisport weekend that combines getting active with fundraising for charity – a simple but effective vision which has enabled us to contribute thousands of pounds to our charity partners over the years.”

Places are still available for the 2018 Woburn Abbey Triathlon – visit www.triforlife.co.uk for more information on fundraising and to enter.