Familiar Three to Endure "Hell Rider" Duathlon for Light Relief

UK-based Claire House (Cooper Controls), Philip Norfolk (MA Lighting), and Simon Allan (Martin Professional) have joined forces to participate in Hell Rider this June to raise money for Light Relief.

Light Relief is a charity established by and for the entertainment lighting industry, to help in times of extreme hardship. Formed specifically to help theatre lighting designers and those working in the field who are not in regular full time employment, Light Relief can provide either practical support or financial help, depending on the individual need.

The Hell Rider course comprises separate run (5km) and bike (8km) loops and the team has eight hours in which to complete as many laps as possible. Over the eight hours House, Norfolk, and Allan will each be completing over 30km of hilly, off road terrain in this incredibly tough challenge.

While the team members are keen runners and bikers and have competed events in the past (House and Norfolk were part of Team PSA, which ran the Bath Half Marathon in 2010) this challenge will really test their mental and physical limits.

"Our fundraising page is jovially entitled 'Claire, Philip, and Simon do something silly for Light Relief,' but with 'Hell' in the event title I'm now thinking we should have said we are doing something tortuous!" explains Claire. "We all love a challenge, but Hell Rider will require pacing, endurance, and tactical skills to ensure we get as far as we can. It's certainly the toughest event I have ever entered. Finding the mental strength to do repeated laps when you are tired is going to be one of the hardest aspects. Raising loads of money for Light Relief will help us endure the pain and keep us going, especially in the final stages, so please donate what you can."

The adventurous trio are currently preparing for this grueling challenge, putting in hours of training to ensure they are in great shape for June. If you would like to support their efforts and help motivate them to continue working hard in preparation, please visit their dedicated fundraising page at the URL listed below.

Contributions donated on Just Giving will go straight to Light Relief. However, if you would like to support the team but would prefer not to donate online, send your donations to Shane McGreevy at PLASA (checks payable to Light Relief) or contact him for Light Relief's bank details at the email address provided. Please mention it's for the Team Light Relief challenge.