Member Article

Triathlon Paul's Turkish delight

One triathlon man’s dream of competing on the international stage has been realised, thanks to funding from The Middlesbrough and Teesside Philanthropic Foundation and in no small part his employer, px group.

Paul Brown, 35, from Guisborough swims, cycles and runs in the age group category (35 to 40) of the event and fits his training regime around his job as an Operations Technician and his family life.

He finished fifth in a qualifying event at Rother Valley and bagged a place at the European Championships in Alanya, Turkey later this year. Unfortunately due financial constraints, getting himself and his bike over to compete wasn’t a viable option.

It was then that a work colleague told him about the foundation - of which px recently became a patron and sponsor - and suggested he approach them with a view to obtaining funding.

The organisation, which raises and allocates funds to community groups and charities across Teesside, granted Paul £1,000 which will now enable him to represent Great Britain in the sprint triathlon age group race.

Said Paul: “I was delighted to gain qualification to the event but after calculating the cost of flights, accommodation, entry fees and the essential insurances required, I was certain I wouldn’t be able to go. This funding means so much to me and I am training harder than ever in the hope that I can bring a medal back home.”

Paul only started competing in triathlons two years ago after some friends, who knew that he was a member of a running club and had tackled the Great North Run, suggested the idea to him.

He has steadily built up his fitness through a challenging training regime which has seen him progress within the Cleveland Triathlon Club and become a member of Triathlon England – the organisation that selects qualifying events for European and World competitions.

Continued Paul: “It can be tricky to fit my training around different shift patterns and my family life. Some days I’m up before six and getting a run in before I cycle to work. On other days I’m finishing work, making the tea for my children Emily, aged eight and Katie, five; then putting them to bed and rushing back out for a 9pm swim!

“My wife Toni is fantastic and although she jokes about me training more than being in the house, she is really supportive!”

Director of Business Development, David Henderson added “Paul has dedicated vast amounts of his spare time to his sport and has already achieved some remarkable feats for a man who only started competing in triathlons two years ago.

“What a great honour to represent your country on the international stage. We will all be rooting for him in his bid to finish on the podium in Turkey.”

This year px has already donated nearly £5,000 to the foundation. The company, which is based at Stockton-on-Tees, operates, manages and maintains energy and process plants around the UK and recently opened a branch office in Dubai to service the growing Middle East market.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .