Gordon Ramsay Adds Backing To ‘Be More Bailey’ Challenge at Jenson Button Trust Triathlon
Chef Gordon Ramsay and his 17-year-old son Jack have lent their support for the ‘Be More Bailey’ challenge which will be held for the first time in Derby this summer as part of the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon.
The father and son have posted a video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfbwPUYu0ao wishing Bailey luck in his event at Derby’s Markeaton Park on Sunday 17th July. ‘Sports Personality of the Year’ and ‘Pride of Britain’ award winner Bailey Matthews and his dad Jonathan will be joined by up to 100 young people aged eight and above who, accompanied by an adult, will take part in a free mini triathlon event as part of the JBTT event.
Nine-year-old Bailey Matthews shot to fame when he received awards for his courage and determination in the ‘Pride of Britain’ and ‘BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015’. The Doncaster schoolboy, who has Cerebral Palsy, first captured the hearts of the nation when a video of him casting aside his walking frame to cross a triathlon race finishing line went viral.
He has been invited to hold the first ‘Be More Bailey’ challenge by the Jenson Button Trust and organisers of the triathlon event – Derby-based HUUB Events, headed by local entrepreneur Dean Jackson.
During the lunchtime break of the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon – the ‘Be More Bailey’ family challenge will start with a 50m swim in the lake then head out onto the closed roads for a 2.5km cycle ride before a 750m run – crossing the same finishing line as the JBTT triathletes. The main JBTT triathlon event will see the McLaren Honda Formula 1 racing driver joining hundreds of novice, intermediate, elite athletes as well as teams of three people in the Team Challenge.
Competitors will start the Triathlon with a 200m swim in Markeaton Park lake. The 10km circular cycle route will take place on closed roads into the city centre and then, back in the park for a 2.5km run. Everyone will have the opportunity to race twice – once in the morning and once in the afternoon for the women’s men’s and team challenge finals and wooden spoon.
Bailey’s dad Jonathan Matthews said: “Having already had a great message of support from Simon Cowell, we are over the moon that Gordon and Jack Ramsay have posted this video. “I hope that it will encourage even more young people to take up the challenge and join us in Derby for the ‘Be More Bailey’ challenge.”
Dean Jackson, founder and owner of HUUB Events and triathlon wetsuit and clothing company HUUB Design continued: “Entries for both the ‘Be More Bailey’ challenge and the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon are coming in thick and fast. “Sunday July 17 will be a fantastic celebration of sport – involving novice and elite athletes, teams of three and now family members. “Gordon thoroughly enjoyed entering the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon last year alongside Jack and we hope that some members of his family will return to Derby this summer to take part in the JBTT and then cheer on the ‘Be More Bailey’ challenge in the lunchtime break.”
Funds raised by the family challenge will go to the ‘Be More Bailey’ Foundation to buy equipment for children and young people with disabilities who want to participate and compete in sport. Funds raised by the main Jenson Button Trust Triathlon will again support Cancer Research UK.
For more information and to register for the event, please visit www.jensonbuttontri.com and, for latest news and training tips, please follow on Twitter @JBTrustTri