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Camp Quality inspires iron endeavour

Camp Quality inspires iron endeavour

A desire to help those less fortunate has inspired Tommy McNeil to tackle his first Ironman 70.3 Busselton next month.

The Dunsborough resident’s decision came after a chance encounter with charity Camp Quality through his work last year.

“I had the opportunity to meet some families affected by cancer and it was powerful seeing what they go through and what we could do to help them, ” he said.

“Seeing the bravery on their faces, I thought ‘if I can make a bit of difference and raise funds that way, that would be something admirable to aim for’.”

McNeil, 37, decided to raise funds for the charity — which helps families affected by cancer — through the 70.3 event and has not looked back.

He has been training with the Busselton Triathlon Club, but admitted he was nervous about taking on the 1.9km swim, the 90.1km bike ride, and the 21.1km run on May 3.

“It’s the biggest (event) by far I’ve ever done — I’ve always kept pretty fit through football and the gym but triathlons are a whole other level, ” he said.

“I’m doing training leading up to the distance — I’ve done Olympic distance, but I’m a long way away from the half-Ironman distance at the moment.”

McNeil is aiming to complete the course in less than five-and-a-half hours.

More importantly, he hopes to raise $5000 for Camp Quality and is only just over a quarter of the way there.

[www.my campquality.org.au/tommy|To donate, click here to visit www.my campquality.org.au/tommy ]