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Home > News > Cara’s ultimate fundraising triathlon: a generous donation
We’re delighted to give you an update on how her training’s progressing – and to tell you about a generous donation, which will make a huge difference to her endeavour.
Cara will be taking on the ultimate triathlon on 19th May. It’s a tough test of endurance – 140km of mountain running over 34 peaks, with 10,400m elevation; cycling 340km, with 2,100m elevation, and swimming 7km across eight lakes. She’ll be doing this across some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes.
Cara’s challenge was featured last week in an interview with BBC Radio Derby*, as well as an article on the BBC News website. There was also an exciting development this week, as she picked up her new bike – kindly donated by one of our suppliers, Sunrise Facilities Management, and bike manufacturer Mercian Cycles.
Cara has faced challenges before, having experienced two traumatic brain injuries – one in 2022, and another in 2023 – in dirt-biking accidents.
This prompted her to take on her triathlon for Brainkind: “This isn’t just a challenge for me. It’s for everyone who’s experienced the devastating effects of a brain injury.”
“If it were ever to happen to yourself or a loved one, you would be so grateful charities like Brainkind exist and have the funding to support you.”
In the BBC article, Cara says that her accidents “changed everything physically, mentally, and emotionally.
“This challenge isn’t just about physical endurance. It’s about turning pain into purpose. It’s basically showing that recovery is possible with the right support, determination, and things like that you can come out with anything that life throws at you stronger.”
Cara has received some amazing support from our provider Sunrise Facilities Management, and from bike manufacturer, Mercian Cycles. Together, they are donating a high-performance, custom-made bike for Cara to use in her challenge – and earlier this week, she travelled to Derby to collect it. Cara had been training on a bike she’d bought second hand for £50, so the new bike will make a world of difference both for her training and on the day.
Cara said: “The bike is perfect. It’s been built to fit me so the geometry couldn’t be better. The thought that’s gone in to making it the perfect size is incredible. The knowledge, design and craftsmanship from Mercian is next level, she’s a work of art! I’m looking forward the many miles we’ll do together!”
Neil Pownall, Managing Director of Sunrise Facilities Management, said: “I first read about Cara’s challenge around six months ago on LinkedIn and was inspired to get in touch. Cara was raising money for Brainkind, a valued client of ours, and her story was amazing, from her recovery to the challenge she’d decided to set herself.
“I don’t think people truly appreciate the incredibly tough nature of Cara’s challenge – forget the distances, look at the elevation, the swims in 10 degree mountain water, the sleep deprivation over 60 hours, trying to fuel on the go, the potential for injury, the severe discomfort, which would have most people quit – and then there’s the relentless training plan.
“I’m proud to have provided Cara with her bike. We’ll be there on 19th May when Cara starts her challenge, and I’ll be bringing my two daughters with me to meet such an inspirational woman and athlete. Oh, and she never stops smiling!”
From all of us at Brainkind, an enormous thank you to Sunrise and to Mercian Cycles for your remarkable kindness to Cara and for the people we support.
Cara, we’re so excited to watch your continuing progress on this journey. Thank you for taking on this enormous challenge. We hope that the difference you are making for the people we support will spur you on every step of the way.
Find out more about Cara’s challenge at her fundraising page: Cara Grimwade is fundraising for Brainkind
*To listen to Cara’s interview on BBC Radio Derby, go to 1:36:55. There is also a longer discussion at 2:08.
