Torchbearer's triathlon moment in the spotlight
Published 27 Apr 2012 12:00
Share this
click to enlarge
BE PREPARED: Michelle Rankin with her 10-year-old daughter Hannah.
See also:
THE route to the Olympic Games will be lit up by a fundraiser taking on her first triathlon challenge exactly a month before her moment in the spotlight.
Michelle Rankin, of Croft Corner, Old Windsor, is one of 8,000 inspirational torchbearers selected to carry the flame on its journey across the UK.
The 42-year-old will carry the Torch through Slough on Tuesday, July 10, a month after joining 450 competitors taking on the 9th AXLR8 Triathlon at Wellington College in Crowthorne on Sunday, June 10.
The mother-of-two will be raising funds to help replace the Old Windsor Girlguiding Unit's dilapidated cabin.
She said: "I have been selected to carry the Olympic torch on July 10, this is a slightly shorter challenge than the triathlon, but one I'm sure I shall treasure in my memories forever."
She added: "I was surprised. I thought there were much more deserving people, but I am really excited and scared because it's such a massive thing."
Over the last nine years, Mrs Rankin has helped raise funds for a number of schools in Old Windsor.
Funds from her triathlon challenge will go towards the £85,000 needed by Old Windsor Girl Guides for their new cabin.
She said: "A triathlon should be enough of an effort to get people to dig into their pockets and support me, so not only am I raising funds for a well-deserved and much needed project, I am becoming fitter and healthier in the process, so far through my training I have lost over 1¾ stones in weight!"
To sponsor Michelle Rankin, email michellerankin@hotmail.com
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
