Swim, cycle and run against homelessness

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CWU Bristol member Rob Wotherspoon will be taking part in this year's Harbourside Triathlon to raise cash for and awareness of homeless charity Crisis.

The UK's national charity for single homeless people, Crisis campaigns for change and provide practical services aiming to transform people's lives.

At Crisis 'Skylight Centres' in several major UK cities and regions, the charity helps homeless people find appropriate accommodation, aim to assist them getting back into employment, and offer personal well-being services for people to transform their lives.

And through public appeals, research-informed lobbying of political leaders, and tireless work with other voluntary organisations, Crisis keeps the issue of housing justice high on the nation's agenda.

"It's the chosen charity for CWU young members," explains Rob, "and I'm a big supporter of the work they do helping homeless people in really practical ways as well as campaigning for more social housing and improved rights for tenants.

"I'm aiming to raise at least £250 - but I'm hoping to raise more than that if I can," he continued, adding: "That amount will fund 10 'Well-being Kits' or 25 'Welcome Kits', each of which represent a range of initial assistance services that Crisis provide to homeless people seeking help."

The Bristol event in June will be Rob's first triathlon, in which he will have to swim half a mile across the city's harbour, cycle for over a dozen miles through the town centre and up to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and then run three miles along the towpath on the other side of the River Avon.

"I'm comfortable with the cycling - I did a 150-mile ride for the Keep the Post Public Campaign last summer - but I do need practice with my swimming and running," Rob told us, adding: "I want to complete the whole course in about an hour and a half if I can - I'm training 5 or 6 days a week with long distance cycles, circuit training and swimming sessions."

To find out more about how you can donate visitRob's JustGiving page. Visit crisis.org.uk for more information about Crisis and the work they do.