Thatcham bankers take on triathlons for charity

Lloyds bank co-workers raising money to instal defibrillators and provide training in schools

A GROUP of bankers from Thatcham have set their hearts pounding to raise money for life-saving devices in schools.

Josh Taylor, Amanda Moth, Danny Bays, Sam Bourne, Marcus Bench and Jemma Maloney from the Lloyd’s branch in the Broadway recently completed two 5.2km runs and a 20km bike ride at the Reading Dinton Duathlon.

The event is the first of three athletic challenges that the team is undertaking in order to reach its goal of purchasing defibrillators to go into schools in Berkshire.

The team has pledged to fund a minimum of 14 devices along with training. A defibrillator checks the heart rhythm of someone in cardiac arrest and shocks the heart if necessary.

Mr Taylor, who is the Thatcham branch manager, said: “Schools do not generally have defibrillators and more than 600 children die each year from heart-related issues. There have been instances like this in our local communities.

“A defibrillator increases the chances of survival significantly and we want to get one into as many schools in our area as possible.”

Mr Taylor said that the group would love to exceed its target as the more money it raises would provide more of the life-saving devices.

“The six of us successfully completed our first duathalon event despite the rain, wind and blistery cold weather conditions,” he said.

“We are proud of this achievement, especially as we still have two triathlons to complete on June 14 and September 6.

“We are fortunate enough to have already purchased five defibrillators for our local schools in Berkshire and will continue to help as many as we can throughout the year.

“We had fantastic support on the day with various colleagues, friends and family travelling from afar to help cheer us on and can say they are the ones who gave us the determination to get through the event.”

The fundraisers are now limbering up for the Windsor Triathlon – a 1.5km swim 42km bike ride and then 10km run – and a team triple relay at Eton Dorney Lake; a 500m swim, 15.9km bike ride and 5km run.

The bankers have currently raised £4,053 of their £5,000 target and to make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/Saving-Hearts