YEOVIL NEWS: Making memories for Jake

YEOVIL man Gary Stranger is getting ready to raise money for charity by taking part in a gruelling triathlon challenge.

Gary will be taking part in the Half Iron Man event in Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, on August 2. It will consist of a 1.2-mile sea swim, a 56-mile bike ride and then a 13.1-mile run.

He has set himself a target of raising as much money as he can to help send a South Somerset family on an important and emotional holiday to Cyprus.

Gary, 35, wants to help send youngster Jake Cullen, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, on holiday with his parents Mark and Tash. Their other son and Jake’s older brother, Brad, died last year at the age of 15 as a result of the DMD.

Gary said: “The whole family enjoyed a holiday in Cyprus as a family in 2010 and have many happy memories. Jake has specifically said he would like to return there.”

PHOTO - TOP: Triathlon man Gary Stranger, centre left, is seen with Mark and Tash Cullen and their son Jake Cullen.

PHOTO - RIGHT: Gary Stranger during training ahead of next weekend's Half Iron Man triathlon.

The Yeovil Press is certain that Gary has probably asked himself more than once in recent weeks with August 2 looming fast as to why he chose to raise money by enduring an energy-sapping triathlon rather than by holding a much more relaxing series of coffee mornings – but he is now ready to take on the Half Iron Man event.

Gary’s wife, Kathy, said: “I’ve seen how much effort he has put into training for this event.

“He has known Mark, Natasha, Jake and Brad for a number of years and prior to Brad’s death, had already said he wanted to do something to raise money.”

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a life-limiting muscle wasting disease and it claimed the life of Jake’s brother last year. It is a rare disorder which affects one in 3,500 births in the UK each year.

Brad, who was a student at Wadham Community School in Crewkerne, fell seriously ill at home in South Petherton in June last year and was airlifted to hospital, but died later same day because of heart failure brought on by DMD.

Jake, who has been a student at Swanmead Community School in Ilminster, is due to start at Wadham in September.

Parents Mark and Tash have been overwhelmed by the kindness shown by everyone following Brad’s death and continue to be moved by people helping to try and send them on a very special holiday to Cyprus.

If you would like to sponsor Gary and help the Cullen family – please go to their Just Giving website page at https://www.justgiving.com/yimby/MakingmemoriesforJake#/.

Alternatively, click on https://www.facebook.com/pages/Making-Memories-for-Jake/340396126108861?fref=ts for the Making Memories for Jake page on Facebook.

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