Jenson Button Trust Triathlon To Support Local Young People

Jenson Button Trust Triathlon To Support Local Young People

Organisers of next month’s Jenson Button Trust Triathlon in Derby have announced that all the money raised by the event will be donated entirely to help local young people.

Barnardo’s are the charity partner for the JBTT which will be held at Markeaton Park on Sunday July 23

A proportion of the entry fee and individual entrants’ own fund raising efforts will go to the charity’s Leaving Care Services in Derbyshire which aims to bridge the gap for children between living in care and the adult world.

The service, based in Heanor, helps young people secure permanent accommodation, supports them with the life skills they need to look after themselves and remains available to offer support and counselling if necessary.

Everyone competing in the triathlon can request a special fundraising pack and can donate via the entry system or by creating a Just Giving page.

Barnardo’s Senior Corporate Relationship Manager Trina Gable said: “We are very grateful to be the beneficiary of the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon this year.

“More than 62% of young people are taken into care because they have suffered from abuse or neglect.  They are therefore some of the most vulnerable young people in our society and leaving care is a key moment in their young lives.

“They are forced to be independent much younger than their peers and need help with moving into a new home and finding a job as they don’t have the support network and safety net of a family.”

Formula 1 McLaren Honda racing driver Jenson Button added: “I hope that we will raise many thousands of pounds for Barnardo’s and it is very fitting that the money will go towards supporting young people in Derbyshire.

“Everyone’s support at the triathlon will be invaluable in helping Barnardo’s transform the lives of these vulnerable young people and will therefore make a real difference to those who most need our support.”

Jenson Button will compete alongside the line-up of novice, seasoned and elite athletes on the day which is organised by Derby-based HUUB Events on behalf of the Trust.

On the day everyone will get the chance to race twice. The preliminary will consist of a 200m swim in Markeaton Lake; 10km cycle from the park and on closed roads into the city’s Cathedral Quarter before returning to the park to complete a 2.5km run.

In the individual event, the top male and female performers will then go on to the finals – completing a 400m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run, with the runners-up entering the wooden spoon race.  

The Team Challenge participants will race again in the afternoon over the Super Sprint distance and the team with the fastest average time will emerge victorious.

The prize fund available to competitors is one of the largest for a UK based sprint triathlon. A grand total of £7,000 will be on offer, split between the male and female categories.

Back by popular demand, during the JBTT lunchtime break there will be a free to enter family triathlon in the park which has been entered so far by 100 children aged between seven and 15, accompanied by an adult. 

This consists of a 50m swim in the lake then heading out onto the closed roads for a 2.5km cycle before a 750m run – crossing the same finishing line as the JBTT triathletes. 

Also in the lunch time break, this time in the city centre, there will be a children’s criterium hosted by Cycle Derby CC with young people taking part in a series of races around closed roads in the Cathedral Quarter.

Spectators are invited to join in the fun.  As well as the opportunity to watch the competitors in action, a wide range of family activities will also be held at the event village set up in Markeaton Park where they will be music and locally produced food and drink stalls. The day will culminate in medal presentations by Jenson Button.

The event’s headline sponsor is Santander who work closely with Jenson as one of their brand ambassadors and the event is supported by Derby City Council.

To enter the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon on Sunday July 23 and for more information, please visit www.jensonbuttontri.com and, for latest news and training tips, please follow on Twitter @JBTrustTri

For support on how to raise money for Barnardo’s please email  jensonbuttontriathlon@barnardos.org.uk

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