Triathlon Pink’s UK launch targets £1 million in fundraising

Triathlon Pink, the all-women triathlon series launching in the United Kingdom this summer has announced its goal to help women of the UK raise £1 million for partner charity Breakthrough Breast Cancer. Triathlon Pink has been operating in Australia for seven years and has raised over AU$1 million (£0.6 million / US$0.9 million) for breast cancer research.

Michaela Smith, Participation Manager for Triathlon Pink UK explained that the aim for the UK series is to reach the £1 million pound mark in 2018 with the support of series participants.

“Every participant has the opportunity to create their own fundraising page and raise funds for Breakthrough Breast Cancer at all Triathlon Pink UK events and engage their friends, family and colleagues in their Triathlon Pink experience,” said Smith.

“Most of the women participating in a Triathlon Pink event this summer are taking part in their first triathlon. For many, it is a life-changing experience and their involvement in one of our events is the perfect catalyst to raise funds for a cause that so many women, and many of our participants, are directly affected by.”

Kellie Burridge is one of the Australian participants who took up the opportunity to raise funds for breast cancer via her participation in Triathlon Pink.

“Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011,” Burridge said. “She was in hospital having her surgery the day before I completed my first Triathlon Pink event. It was hard to know what to do to support Mum as she went through her treatment, so one way I found to lift her spirits and make me feel as if I was doing something constructive was to take part in Triathlon Pink and raise money for breast cancer.”

She added, “In 2013 mum came along to watch and cheer me on as I completed my first Long Distance Triathlon Pink, and in January this year she was thrilled to complete her first Triathlon Pink! It was such an uplifting moment to cross the line together, as well as raising over AU$1,400 for breast cancer research.”

Breakthrough Breast Cancer was appointed the exclusive charity partner of Triathlon Pink UK at the series launch in January in recognition of its incredible work within the breast cancer community. Breakthrough is working closely with Triathlon Pink organisers to encourage participation and fundraising across the series.

Tris Jones, Mass Participation Manager at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, said, “We’re really excited to be the exclusive charity partner for Triathlon Pink. £1million towards our research will mean that were able to make the breakthroughs in research needed to help save lives, so that women can be here for longer with the people they love.

“We’d encourage all women to sign up to this brilliant event, especially as taking part in physical activity is a great way to reduce your risk of developing breast cancer. Get fit, feel good, reduce your risk and help raise much-needed funds for our vital breast cancer research. Together we can beat breast cancer.”

The inaugural Triathlon Pink UK series is designed to encourage women of all fitness levels and backgrounds to participate in a swim, bike and run event in 2014 and raise funds to aid the fight against breast cancer. Five Triathlon pink events will be conducted in the United Kingdom in 2014 with the first event being held in Crystal Palace on 1 June.

Subsequent Triathlon Pink events will held in Bath (8 June), Sunderland (29 June), Leeds (6 July) and Basildon (3 August). Participants can enter any of the short, medium or long course events at any of the above event locations.

Each Triathlon Pink event is held in swimming pools and on closed park roads. They are positioned as safe and provide full support to the participants. The UK series includes support events such as the Triathlon Pink Kids for boys and girls aged 13 years and under and the Pink Pyjama Fun Run, which also provides men and the wider community the opportunity to show their support for the fight against breast cancer in a unique 3K fun run at every Triathlon Pink UK event.

www.triathlonpink.co.uk
www.breakthrough.org.uk