A double Ironman challenge has raised over £2000 in memory of Samuel Oldridge for children and young people with cancer.

It is thanks to the monumental efforts of Gordon Fearn, the Master Instructor for the Gordon Fearn Tae Kwon-Do and Ninja Skillz Dorset Schools (GFTKD). He also coaches Crossfit for the Complete Active Cross-fit Gym in Ringwood.

Gordon has supported the Samuel Oldridge CLIC Sargent appeal since 2009. After speaking to the Head Coach at Complete Active, Ringwood, Mark Newton, the idea of completing a double ironman challenge was born.

 Together with the other Complete Active coaches - Mark Smallbones, Richard Jarvis, Oliver Jones, and Lionel Newton, the message was spread to the Ringwood Crossfit community who enthusiastically came together to complete the double Iron Man challenge (4.8 mile swim, 224 bike ride and 52.4 mile run) to raise funds and awareness for the Samuel Oldridge CLIC Sargent appeal. Some 60 people took part and smashed the double Iron Man challenge by swimming 6.5 miles, cycled 436 miles by bike and ran 367.75 miles in one day.

Gordon said: “Each year with my GFTKD School we support CLIC Sargent in memory of Samuel as the charity is the UK’s leading charity for children and young people with cancer who supported Samuel and his family. Samuel Oldridge was born in 2000 and diagnosed aged 3 with a brain tumour which caused him to lose his vision. Even though Samuel was blind he never let it stop him doing anything and nor did he ever give up in whatever he tried to do. Samuel showed no fear, he inspired us all in the fact he achieved so much at such a young age and had the ability to make us all smile. Samuel showed the 5 tenants of Tae Kwon-Do - Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and indomitable Spirit. Very sadly he passed away in 2009, aged just 8 years old.”

Gordon continues: “Samuel is always an inspiration and a beacon of positivity, even in these challenging times, missed but never forgotten. I would like to thank everyone from the Complete Active community for taking part in this challenge for young cancer patients in Samuel’s name. It was really touching that despite the weather we could come together as a community, in socially distancing circumstances and do something so positive.”

 Liz Blunt said: “It’s incredibly moving that Samuel had such an impact in his short life and that there continues to be the annual Gordon Fearn Tae Kwon-Do tournament with The Samuel Oldridge Cup. A very special thank you to Gordon for continuing with this lovely tribute to Samuel.  Samuel sounds to have been a very special boy showing great resilience, strength and bravery during his treatment which included thirty five operations. I know from speaking with Samuel’s father, John that one of Samuel’s biggest achievements was through his participation in Tae Kwon Do which gave him great personal joy and Gordon was a truly motivating, remarkable teacher.”

“On behalf of young lives with cancer, I would like to say a huge thank you to Samuel’s family, Gordon and most recently the Complete Active Crossfit community for their wonderful support, which is hugely appreciated.”

If you would like to make a donation to the Samuel Oldridge CLIC Sargent appeal for young lives with cancer, please go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/samueloldridge