TWINS from Kidderminster will take on a gruelling Ironman France challenge next month to raise funds for three charities which helped them when their dad died.
Malachy and James Larkin will undertake a 2.4mile swim, a 112mile bike ride and a 26.2mile run in Nice on June 28.
The causes they are supporting include Scotty’s Little Soldiers, FAB (Family Activity Breaks) and the Forces Children’s Trust.
The pair lost their father Richard Larkin – a nurse and a Lance Corporal in the Territorial Army – in 2008.
In 2007, he was deployed with his reserve unit, 23 SAS to Afghanistan, when, reaching the end of his six-month tour, he was killed in an explosion in Helmand Province.
Malachy and James were just five years old at the time and their sister Orla – who is helping behind the scenes with this challenge – was one.
They said, since then, they had all been ‘forever grateful’ to charities helping bereaved families and hoped to raise as much as possible for them.
Malachy and James said: “We are taking on the challenge to raise funds and awareness for charities supporting bereaved military families.
“The support in this area from the government is limited and charities do critical work creating spaces where bereaved families can access support, days out, and activity breaks with other families and children experiencing bereavement.
“We understand the fantastic work these charities do and will be forever grateful after bereavement struck our family in 2008 with the loss of our dad.
“We have decided to try and give back to these charities through fundraising and creating awareness.
“And, to do so, we have selected, possibly the hardest event we could think of – an Ironman Challenge – wish us luck.”
The charities
Scotty’s Little Soldiers helps children left bereaved by the loss of a parent in the Armed Forces. It strives to ensure the very best bereavement support remains available for those affected.
Statistics show there are 2,100 newly bereaved military children every year.
FAB provides fun and challenging activity camps around the UK for bereaved military families.
And the Force’s Children’s Trust was founded in 2005 by Denny Wise who heard an associate’s son serving in the UK Armed Forces had died, along with other comrades in Basra Southern Iraq who all had children.
The trust offers child bereavement counselling, group holidays and expeditions, social events, educational visits and educational support.
Donations made to the brothers’ fund will pay for activity breaks that allow children to meet others in a similar situation, provide long-term mental health and bereavement support for military families and help provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences, opening doors to children and young adults that would never otherwise have these amazing opportunities.
The pair have urged anyone who can help to donate, share their page and cheer them on as they undertake their huge task.
Visit: gofundme.com/f/twins-take-on-ironman-france-supporting-military-charities for more on the pair’s fundraiser and to donate to the page.
