Volunteer Vikki completes Ironman challenge for hospice

By Jade Taylorson

A St Catherine’s Hospice volunteer completed the ultimate endurance test to raise money for the charity – and received a pat on the back from celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey for her efforts!

Vikki Gregson, from Leyland, took part in the Ironman 70.3 endurance triathlon and hopes to raise an amazing £1,000.

The event was held for the first time in Staffordshire, involving a 1.2 mile swim in open water, a 56 mile bike ride and a 13.1 mile run.

Vikki, aged 40, said: “I have been a volunteer at St Catherine’s Hospice for 5 years now and there is no other charity I would rather support.”

In preparation for the event, Vikki trained for seven months, five days a week. This involved pool swimming, open water swimming, bike riding, hill training and running.

She said: “I would go out on a 40 mile bike ride and then go for a run straight afterwards.

“Hill training on the bike was important too. On the actual day there was 900 metres of climbing.”

To help Vikki across the finish line, Michelin star chef, Gordan Ramsey, was there to cheer her on, giving her a hug and his congratulations at the end of the race.

Vikki said: “It was well out of my comfort zone and physical ability. I wanted to push myself to the limit.

“I think we all limit ourselves in some way, but this has proved to me that you can do anything if you put your mind to it.”

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