THIS year is set to be the most challenging of Jon Maiden’s life.
The Sheffield lad has set himself an overwhelming task - to complete 10 physically and mentally demanding endurance challenges, in an effort to raise more than £2,000 to fight cancer.
And these are no ordinary challenges.
Jon’s staggering task will include a three-day Ironman in which he will cycle 112 miles, swim 2.4 miles and run 26.2 miles, a 130-mile hike from Galway to Dublin, a 120-mile kayak from Inverness to the Isle of Man and the Welsh 3000s challenge of 15 mountains in 24 hours.
He will also pay tribute to Team GB by recreating 10 highlights from London 2012, including Mo Farah’s 10k, Sir Chris Hoy’s velodrome heroics and every event in Jessica Ennis’ heptathlon.
Jon, aged 30, of Millhouses, told The Star: “It’s going to be a tough year, but I love adventure and I love a challenge.
“That being said, each of these challenges will push me firmly beyond my comfort zone, so I really hope everyone gets behind me and digs deep to help me raise as much money as possible.”
Jon’s efforts will raise money for AIRC - the Association for International Cancer Research - a global company aiming to save lives being lost to cancer by improving prevention, detection and treatment.
Jon first became involved with the charity 18 months ago, when a good friend lost his mother to the disease.
Last year he helped raise thousands of pounds by hitchiking from Sheffield to the Arctic Circle.
The journey covered more than 2,000 miles, crossed eight countries in seven days and involved Jon ‘blagging’ 31 lifts, in what he said was ‘one of the best experiences of my life’.
“I’m an adrenaline junkie and I love pushing myself, especially when it’s for such a good cause,” he said.
Jon, who founded Sheffield careers education company Big Green Fox, has admitted it’s not the easiest time to be fundraising.
But he added: “More than one in three people in the UK will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.”
To find out more see jonmaiden.wordpress.com
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