Kinesio UK is once more delighted to be supporting epic fund raiser Ivan Hollingsworth during his mammoth 2014 challenge to raise funds for the Children's Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.
The company is donating all the rolls of Kinesio Tape Ivan and his team mates need to ease their aching joints and muscles as they train and undertake the most gruelling event of their fund raising efforts so far - the C2C5 - a four day Cycle, Swim and Run.
Ivan says: "We're so pleased to announce Kinesio will again be supporting our C2C5 in aid of CHUF in 2014. I'm not sure what we'd do without it Kinesio. It literally holds us together!"
On Sunday 20thJuly 2014, Ivan and his team will cycle 75 miles from Whitehaven to Keswick, climbing up Hardnott, Wrynose, Whinlatter and Honister Pass - a total climb of 7,428ft.On Monday 21st July they will swim one mile across Derwent Water and then cycle 65 miles to Alston, climbing Kirkstone and Hartside Pass - a climb of 5,528ft.On Tuesday 22 July they will run 37 miles. On Wednesday 23 July the team will run a Marathon to Tynemouth Longsands Beach, stopping off at Grey's Monument in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne for the final group of runners to join them for the last half marathon to Tynemouth on the coast.
In 2009, Father-of-one Ivan Hollingsworth was inspired to help the Newcastle Freeman Hospital's children's heart unit (CHUF) after staff saved his young son's life.
This unit is one of only two specialist heart units in the UK that perform heart transplants on children but its future is at threat due to the ongoing Safe & Sustainable Review of Children's Heart Surgery services.
Ivan and wife Nadine's baby son, Seb was born in January 2009 with a congenital heart defect. Without the pioneering surgery he received at the Freeman Hospital four months later, he would not have survived. CHUF literally saved Seb's life and if the unit was forced to close, then many babies and children with similar health problems may not live.
So far Ivan has raised a staggering £343,000 for CHUF. This has been achieved by events such as running 100 miles in just 24 hours, organising a fundraising ball and multiple marathons. Ivan's exploits even made him a YouTube sensation after he skied 10 kilometres down a mountain wearing only a mankini to raise money.
In January 2014, Ivan was joined by TV presenter Ben Shephard, for an epic challenge which involved training continuously until they had each burned 10,000 calories.
More recently in May this year Ivan was awarded the prestigious new Point of Light Award by Prime Minster David Cameron.
Mr Cameron said: "Ivan is an extraordinary fundraiser, capturing the imagination with challenges that many others would not even dare to attempt. He has a done a fantastic job raising money and awareness - and helping to lessen the suffering of sick children. I am delighted to recognise Ivan's service by making him a Point of Light."
Ivan was presented with the award by Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell at a special award ceremony at North Shields.
To learn more about the Children's Heart Unit at the Freeman Hospital, donate and support Ivan Hollingsworth and his team, go to www.chuf.org.uk.
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