Swindon businessman Andy Rohrer (correct) is stepping out from behind his diggers, dumper trucks and forklifts to tackle a new challenge of his first Half IronMan.
The 32-year-old who lives in Swindon is swapping excavation machinery for his racing bike as in his day job he’s a co-director of new business Tiger Plant, based at Clearwater Business Park in the town.
Tiger Plant, provides new or nearly new construction equipment to the retail, construction, environment sectors including housebuilders, construction companies, excavation specialists and many more. They also supply mini diggers and other equipment to homeowners improving their homes or gardens. They operate within in 50 mile radius of the town covering areas including Salisbury, Bath, Bristol, Oxford, Reading and London.
Next weekend Andy will be relying on his own stamina and his racing bike to cycle, run and swim to raise money for Wiltshire Air Ambulance.
“I’ve done two sprint triathlons before but never something as challenging as this. I can’t say I’m enjoying it, I’m doing it just because it’s hard and it’s good to push yourself. I know it will feel amazing to cross that finish line and I’ll probably do something similar again.
“I’ve chosen Wiltshire Air Ambulance because it’s a vital service for our county – some of which is very rural and isolated – and it’s funded entirely by donation. As a member of the Swindon Phoenix Rotary Club, we’ve supported the charity before and I decided this was a way of doing my bit too.”
The event, the IronMan 70.3 Staffordshire takes place on Sunday June 18 and involves a 1.2 miles open water swim in a reservoir, a 56 mile cycle ride around the countryside near Lichfield and a half marathon ending in the grounds of the Shugborough Country Estate.
Andy said: “I’ve been training very hard the last few months. I swim three times a week (and hate it), I’m doing 30 miles bike rides in the week and 50 miles at the weekend, ten mile runs and I’m working out at the gym to build up my core strength.”
Andy has set himself a target of at least £500 and anyone who wishes to support him can find out more here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andy-Rohrer