Ironman Chris Absolom supports charity which is caring for his wife

HIGHER Odcombe man Chris Absolom is getting in gear for this year’s Ironman France event to swim, cycle and run for blood cancer charity Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Chris, 55, will be taking on the Ironman distance at Nice, France, on Sunday, June 23, in which he aims to complete a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a full 26.2-mile marathon run.

He will be hoping to tackle the challenge and raise loads of money to help fund research into all blood cancers including leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

And it is a very personal reason as to why he wants to put himself through the pain barrier in order to raise money for this important charity – his wife Angela was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in April 2011.

PHOTO: Ironman Chris Absolom.

Chris said: ‘’I’m taking part in the event because of the excellent trials work carried out by the charity.

‘’We have just returned from a meeting where we heard of new drugs which were not available only two years ago.’’

Chris added: ‘’Raising money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research means better treatments and cures for patients with blood cancer.

‘’The equation is simple – the more money raised equals more lives saved.’’

Angela was initially admitted to Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton for 13 weeks after receiving the devastating news that she had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia known as ALL.

She spent much of her time in Musgrove in isolation while undergoing the chemotherapy treatment on an ALL trial.

Chris said: ‘’This aggressive treatment left Angela very weak and she encountered many setbacks.

‘’Angela is now on the maintenance programme to maintain remission. This treatment will last until January 2014.’’

You can support Chris as he swims, cycles and runs to beat blood cancers by visiting his fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/Chris-Absolom .

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