KIND-HEARTED residents from across Castle Point have banded together to help raise hundreds for a children’s charity.

The first in a series of sponsored triathlons has been launched by Castle Point Council in a bid to generate vital funding for voluntary organisations across the borough.

More than 100 people have signed up to the gruelling event at Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, in Somnes Avenue, testing their fitness to the limit in aid of the Indee Rose Trust.

New treadmills and equipment have been bought in for the event as participants undertake 3.2km on the treadmill, 6km on an exercise bike and 1500M on the rowing machines.

Staff are hoping it will pave the way for regular sponsored triathlons to be held at the building once the £5million revamp of the leisure centre is complete.

Shane Williams, marketing and sports development officer at Waterside, said: “We are so pleased with how many people have signed up to the event so far, it’s something our customers have really got behind. Hopefully we can help provide as much money as possible to this worthwhile cause.

“We are all really excited about the refurbishment that is going on here. We hope that once it is complete we can hold charity events like this more often and make it a regular thing.”

The multi-million-pound revamp will include a new open-plan glass entrance, extensive interior redecoration, redesigned changing rooms, and a new community and conference hall.

It is hoped it will enable the Seventies-built facility to stay open another 20 years.
Wendy Goodwin, Tory councillor responsible for leisure and community wellbeing, said: “What a brilliant way of giving at Christmas, and exercising at a time when we traditionally overindulge. Good Luck to everyone who is taking part.”

The Indee Rose Trust, which provides support to families who have a child with a brain or spinal tumour, was set up in 2009 by the family of Indee Rose Dopson, who died after being diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was just three.

For more information on how to take part in the triathlon, which began Monday and runs until Saturday December 22, contact Waterside on 01268 694342.