Cheltenham Funeral Director, Julian Goodwin, is going the extra mile this year in support of his local hospice, Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice.

The fit 47 year old is taking on an incredible list of running, cycling and swimming challenges to help raise funds for the only hospice with inpatient beds in the county after seeing the care it offers to local families through his contact with the charity as a result of his job.

Julian kicked off his yearlong fundraising and fitness challenge on the starting line of the London Marathon on Sunday 22nd April, running one of the world's best marathons on one of the hottest London Marathon days on record, in 5 hours and 18 minutes and 19 seconds.

He'll be following this up on his bike with a 100 mile cycle ride in the iconic Ride London on 29th July then a 2 mile swim in open water of the Thames in Swim Serpentine on 22nd September. If he finishes the trio of events he will complete one of the world's greatest sporting challenges, the London Classic, and be listed in the London Classics Hall of Fame.

Not content with completing the London Classic, Julian plans to cycle 130km in Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court's 30th anniversary Ride for Ryder on 26th June, and has entered the Outlaw Half Ironman Triathlon in May, the Bolton Full Ironman Triathlon in July and if he has any energy left he will also take on the Cheltenham Half Marathon on 30th September. He will be raising funds for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice in every single event.

Julian said, "I like a challenge. I like to push myself and I enjoy the bling of the medals at each event. I enjoy running, swimming and cycling so I thought why not?"

Julian is a Funeral Director at Mason and Stokes in Cheltenham where he has been for the last eight years. Before that he was with his own family funeral business, working with his Father and Grandmother, and this September he will have reached his 30th year in Cheltenham looking after bereaved families.

"I have worked closely with Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice with my job for many years and I have always supported the hospice by attending Ride for Ryder and Starlight Hike. I have also had friends who have lost loved ones who were cared for by the hospice."

"The hospice is a lovely place and it's set in the most amazing grounds of the hills in Leckhampton. The care at Sue Ryder is brilliant, and we always hear wonderful reports from families who have had and lost loved ones in Sue Ryder."

By the end of the year Julian estimates he would covered 1,500 miles for the hospice on foot, pedal and in the water.

"Over the year I will have covered 339.1 miles in these events alone. There will be hundreds more miles in training runs, swims and bike rides too. From December 2017 when I first started training for this year's events I've recorded I have ran 163.5 miles, biked 324.1 miles and swam 9 miles."

He hopes through his amazing challenges he can raise as much as possible for the hospice.

"My goal is to raise £6,000 and I am close to £4,000 with just one event under my belt so far, with more sponsorship to come."

"I know all the funds I raise will help the hospice immensely, and provide support local families need at such a difficult time."

The challenge Julian is most and least looking forward to is the Full Ironman in Bolton.

"This is a massive goal for me and without a doubt will be the biggest achievement of my life, to cross the line and enjoy the experience, and all I want to hear is the words "Julian Goodwin you are an IRONMAN, and that will be a spine tingling moment, and a very emotional moment in my life."

"It is also going to be one of the hardest challenges ever for me. The 2.4 mile swim, followed by the 112 mile bike ride, then to finish with a 26.2 mile marathon, and all to be completed in 17 hours? This a tough challenge, and it's going to take everything out of me, physically and mentally, but the thought of my daughter Ellie, my partner Sarah, my mum and my sister and my family and friends, even our dogs, help to keep me going when the going gets tough. My friends and family have all been so supportive and understanding of all the training I am doing and I can't thank them enough."

"We held a Superpower fundraising party earlier in the year to help raise funds towards my fundraising goal themed with super heroes and villains, a live band, DJ, bar and lots of drink. Halfway through the evening we held a live Auction, and we had a raffle as well. The event raised £3,500 and helped kick start my year of challenges for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice."

Julian started triathlons in 2013 with the CTC (Cheltenham Triathlon Club) and hopes that his training and competing with them will help see him through his year of fundraising challenges.

"CTC have been an amazing support, very informative and supportive. They are a great bunch of people to train with and they make it fun."

To track Julian's progress in his year of fitness feats and to donate towards his fundraising total visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/julian-goodwin2. 

Alternatively sponsorship forms are available in the Mason and Stokes office, Tudor Lodge, 54 Hewlett Road, Cheltenham, GL52 6AH.

For more information on Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice visit www.sueryder.org/leckhampton

Photo caption: Julian Goodwin outside the hospice with his Virgin London Marathon 2018 finishers medal