Aidan hadn’t swum or cycled since school, but the loss of his beloved stepfather, Tony, to liver cancer has motivated him to train six days a week for a 70.3-mile Half Ironman challenge for the British Liver Trust.
The challenge in Weymouth in September, involves a 1.9km swim, a 90km bike ride, and a 21k half-marathon.
Tony’s cancer spread throughout his body very quickly and there was very little time for Aidan and his mum to process what was happening before he tragically died, making it even harder for them to come to terms with their loss. 
Aidan said the Tony’s death has left a void in the family that can never be filled. He added: “Tony, or “Bloke” as most people knew him – was an incredible man and one of those rare people who made a lasting impression on everyone around him. He was the kind of person who was always there for you; you never had to ask for help because he had already offered it. Tony transformed my mum’s life and gave her the trust, security, and kindness she absolutely deserved. His kindness, love, and the way he treated people lives on through those who knew him.”
To honour Tony’s memory Aidan, wanted to do something that was genuinely challenging but realistic, given the times pressures associated with working full time and being a husband and dad. While the Ironman 70.3 is a huge challenge, Aidan feels it’s achievable.
He said: “Training has been going really well so far. I’ve gone from not swimming at all since school to comfortably swimming for an hour in the pool, which feels like a huge achievement. I’ve also started riding a bike again for the first time in years, pretty much since I was at school, so everything feels new, challenging, and exciting. I’m really enjoying the progress and seeing what my body can do when I push myself. It gives me a real sense of purpose knowing why I’m doing it.”
Aidan feels the Half Ironman is also giving him something to focus on as he processes Tony’s death.
He said: “Losing Tony left a huge void, and I realised I needed something to focus on, a goal to work towards, to help me process that loss. Without something positive to channel my energy into, I felt like I could easily spiral. Training and fundraising have given me purpose during a difficult time, and if I can turn my grief into something that does good in the name of an incredible man, then it helps me begin to feel okay again.”
