Swansea IRONMAN 70.3 success for SSAFA, whatever the weather

20 July 2023

Taking place in typical British summer weather – strong winds, heavy showers, and temperatures struggling to reach 20°C – the Swansea IRONMAN 70.3 saw five plucky chaps endure the elements and a swim, run, and cycle ride for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

The Ironmen raising funds for SSAFA’s work were Nick Pulman, Rob Huish, and Team Secret Squirrels’ – a relay team comprising brothers Darren and Matt Reynolds and Kieran, Matt’s son.

Rob – finishing in a respectable 5h 31m 41s – took part in memory of his grandfather, Bertie Lewis, who fought in WWII. Rob will take on two IRONMAN 140.6 events again for SSAFA later this year in Tenby and Barcelona. His employer, Britvic, will matchfund the amount Rob raises.

Team Secret Squirrels – Darren swam, Matt cycled, and Kieran ran – raised money for SSAFA in memory of Matt and Darren’s grandmother, Violet Norman, who was a keen fundraiser for SSAFA in the past. Their combined time was 6h 27m 39s.

Nick, in his first IRONMAN, dealt with not only inclement weather, but also a puncture and a crash, and came in at 6h 32m 09s.

Nick, who despite setbacks still plans to join the RAF, said of his reasons for tackling an IRONMAN for SSAFA: “it’s pretty simple, really. I’ve chosen to run for SSAFA because of my close ties to the military and being brought up in a military household, I know on a very personal level at how selfless serving in the military is, and I know the massive debt we owe serving personnel and veterans, people SSAFA helps day in, day out, just as it has for nearly 140 years.

“So, I began raising money for SSAFA because it gives me the chance to give something back to those who’ve served their country by giving to the charity that does so much for them, and though it was hard, as Ben Francia said: ‘Great things never come from the comfort’.”