Pete's challenge

The 29-year-old, who is a former captain of Lurgan Rugby Club, hopes to swim 100 lengths followed by a 10K cycle for good measure when he’s dried off.

The ex-Carrick, Lurgan Junior High and Lurgan College pupil, is taking on the solo challenge on April 16 to raise funds for the Ulster Cancer Foundation. He’ll be doing the swim in Lisburn pool then cycling from Lisburn to Moira.

He explained: “My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago and this charity gave her a lot of support. Thankfully she has since made a full recovery but she stays in contact with them and regularly goes to their meetings and fundraising events.

“I thought I would do something to raise funds for them as they are a local charity that helps local people so it is definitely a worthwhile cause.”

Pete, a building surveyor for the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, continued: “I wanted to set myself a goal that was going to be tough but also achievable.

“I haven’t swam in about 10 years and I haven’t played rugby in a couple of years so I wanted to do something that I would have to spend a bit of time getting fit for. I thought 100 lengths of the pool would be a good target, and the 10 kilometre cycle afterwards would make it a bit tougher.”

He added: “It isn’t until April 16 so that should give me time to get plenty of sponsorship raised and also to get in shape. I’m cycling, swimming and going to the gym each week, and increasing the amount of swimming I’m doing each time.”

Anyone wishing make a donation can go to the secure online page www. justgiving.com/p-robinson, which is run by a company on behalf of the Ulster Cancer Foundation and all donations go direct to the charity.

Pete concluded: “I’d like to thank everyone in advance for any sponsorship that they will be giving, as well as those who have already donated. You can check out the website above to see my progress. Any donation will be greatly appreciated.”