As you might be aware, my fellow quadruple amputee Olivia Giles and I have just launched a brand new charity, called 500 miles, which aims to help amputees and other disabled people in deprived parts of the world.We are very excited about this project and in order to get the charity off to a flying start I have set myself a challenge!

I am going to attempt to complete an Iron Man Triathlon length event which consists of:

• 2.4 mile swim
• 112 mile cycle
• 26.2 mile run

All non-stop in 24 hours!

Iron Man Triathlon is widely considered as one of the most gruelling feats of athletic endurance, even for able-bodied athletes, and for me as a quadruple amputee this looks set to be my biggest challenge yet! 

Iron Man is a registered trademark, so instead, this is Titanium Man, named after the high performance metal of which my prosthetic leg components are made.

About Titanium Man Challenge:

My first attempt at the challenge is scheduled for the fourth of August.

Starting at dawn, the swim will take place in the chilly waters of Loch Tay, finishing at Kenmore.  For me, swimming without hands and feet is very difficult, rather like rowing with round oars.  No special equipment, such as flippers, is allowed so I have had to learn entirely new swimming techniques in order to make progress through the water.

The cycle route, beginning at Kenmore, goes along Loch Tay to Killin, then to Crianlarich, down Loch Lomond to Balloch, back East to Buchlyvie and Stirling and finishing at Falkirk.

This is likely to be the most time consuming leg of the event.  I cycle on a specially adapted bicycle, with several modifications which I designed myself allowing me to hold the handlebars and operate the gear levers and brakes.

The final leg of the challenge is a full marathon, along the towpath of the Union Canal from Falkirk all the way back to my home in Edinburgh.  I have completed marathons before, but this, following straight on from the previous two legs, and run through the night, is likely to prove an extreme test of fitness and endurance.

In order to complete my Titanium Man Challenge, I need your help!  I need your sponsorship!

It's really easy to donate.  There are three ways you can do it:

1. Online.  Go to the Just Giving website www.justgiving.com/titaniumman  where you can make a donation by credit card.
2. By post.  If you are a UK tax payer and would like us to reclaim tax on your donation then please download , complete, and return the gift aid form. For every £1 donation we can reclaim a further 28 pence from the Inland Revenue. Please make cheques payable to 500 miles and send to:
   

   500 miles
   Box 500
   44-46 Morningside Road
   Edinburgh
   EH10 4BF

3. By text.  Simply text the word "Titanium" to 84424.  Texts cost £3 of which at least £2 goes to the charity.

Thank you very much

Jamie.