My friends were pretty surprised when I announced that I was going to do a sporting challenge in aid of Wales Air Ambulance: I’m not known for being particularly sporty!
I love the Choirs for Good ethos of "do good", so when CFG selected Wales Air Ambulance as their 2023 Charity of the Year, I decided I’d like to undertake an individual challenge for the charity, in addition to participating in fundraising with my choir, CFG Conwy.
During last autumn, my son had encouraged me to try Couch to 5k and had accompanied me on my first (very short and very slow!) outing. I successfully completed the 9-week programme, amazing myself by progressing from a one-minute jog to jogging non-stop for 30 minutes. So I felt a sporting challenge for WAA was something I could tackle .…
I decided on a ‘Tryathlon’ – my own take on a triathlon, consisting of jogging, walking and swimming. I set myself a target of 590km in total, to be made up of 350km walking, 200 km jogging and 40 km swimming.
I created a Just Giving page, and thanks to the generosity of family and friends my current total is just under £800. I post my progress on my Just Giving page each month, together with occasional photos.
With three quarters of the year gone, I’ve already passed my walking target and am nearly there with the swimming. October will have to be a month with plenty of jogging, though…… Jogging is definitely my least favourite activity, but it’s been (almost) enjoyable to do early morning jogs along Rhos on Sea prom, with the sea and beach views.
I’ve been a member of Choirs for Good Conwy, since it began in September 2021, and I just love it. My choir friends are like another family. Weekly rehearsals with our wonderful leader Izzy are always fun, and they definitely help me feel good. If I’ve had a stressful day, I can literally feel the tension melting away. Performing at gigs is great; I feel so proud to put on my choir t-shirt and to be part of a group giving pleasure to others as well as to ourselves. Earlier this year it was particularly exciting to take part in the International Eisteddfod in Llangollen.
Being part of Choirs for Good is very important to me, and it’s great that through being in CFG I am able to support worthwhile causes while doing something I love.
If anyone reading this would like to donate to my Tryathlon, I’d be very grateful. The link is: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/veronica-tryathlon