Be the wind beneath Ben’s (fairy) wings

This weekend – Ben Deacon sets off on a challenge of a lifetime. Starting with Tough Mudder (Saturday 19th September), a week later Barns Green Half Marathon. A few weeks before his 40th birthday Ben will be attempting the winter Fan Dance across Brecon Beacons, finally – in the new year - the London Marathon 2027. A significant personal challenge for Ben – raising funds for two local Sussex charities.

[Donate via GiveWheel page: https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/20547/starting-with-tough-mudder-then-a-week-later-barns]

Ben is looking to help Family Support Work (FSW) (www.familysupportwork.org )  and Springboard Project, hoping to raise £1,500; Ben explained how both charities fundamentally helped him and his family and how important they have been to him and his family over the last couple of years. Ben said, “We have gone down many long exhausting routes of getting a diagnosis of Autism and ADHD for our son. The support from both has continued to be amazing and is fully appreciated. I wanted to raise money for two smaller charities who do not see the limelight like bigger charities, wanting to give something back to the two closest to my heart.”  

Ben has signed up for the 15k Tough Mudder which takes place this coming weekend at the Holmbush Estate in Faygate (19th September); a challenge of mind over matter covering 15 kilometres with 20+ obstacles, including wooded hills, mudslides, and climbs - then a little over a week later Ben will be tackling the Barns Green (Horsham) Half Marathon (27th September), a test of perseverance and resilience. If you are free, go online - check where the specific spectator areas are located/ sign up for a spectator pass in advance – then pop along and cheer everyone on - Ben too!

[Donate via GiveWheel page: https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/20547/starting-with-tough-mudder-then-a-week-later-barns]

Ben tells me the winter Fan Dance (9th January 2027), will be the most difficult event he will attempt. The Fan Dance is a gruelling 24-kilometer (15-mile) endurance and load-bearing test, marching across Pen y Fan in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park (Brecon Beacons) in Wales (famously used as the first major selection test for the British Special Forces - SAS and SBS). A test of strength and resolve in some of the UK’s harshest terrain.

The most difficult event – the Fan Dance, is not the last for Ben; his final event is later in the new year - The London Marathon 2027.

Ben is excited to be one of the lucky 37,000 out of a record 1.35M people who applied to get a place. If Ben’s fundraising target of £1500 is reached before then he says he will dye his hair bright pink, wear bright pink leggings and a tutu - even chuck some fairy wings on, he tells me!

The Sussex Charity for Children - Family Support Work (www.familysupportwork.org), explained to me that over the course of a year £20 per month supports vital home visits to struggling families across Sussex - £120 annually helps with crucial one-to-one support sessions for struggling parents or essential food parcels for families.

Be the wind beneath Ben’s (fairy) wings – help him reach his target and sponsor him today.

Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DdGp9FrjEVs/?img_index=1

Facebook post:

https://www.facebook.com/FswFamilySupportWork/posts/pfbid02q6QXzrdUgrK7FHNmFN364HrvK171usvHcQY93YC8A9UwANX9EwubctrEKZe6ANgVl

[Donate via GiveWheel page: https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/20547/starting-with-tough-mudder-then-a-week-later-barns]

[www.familysupportwork.org : Jason Palmer]