Ironman Ian takes on his biggest challenge

CULCHETH businessman Ian Barker, who has raised thousands of pounds for charity by taking part in marathons and other endurance tests is to tackle his biggest challenge yet – Ironman UK.
Ian, owner of Le Brunch sandwich bar, will be raising money for the Scope disability charity.
Ironman UK is a testing one day event consisting of a 3.8km swim, 112-mile bike ride and a full marathon. It takes place at Bolton on July 22.
Ian said: “I will be raising money for Scope because I like to raise money for a different charity each time I test my body.
“The reason I do this is because I am fortunate not to be directly linked to a charity as all my family have a clean bill of health.”
Over the last four years, Ian has taken part in 10k runs, half marathons, marathons and triathlons raising money for charities such as East Cheshire Hospice, Leonard Cheshire Disability, Bobath Centre, Steve Prescott Foundation, Christies, St Rocco’s Hospice, Alzheimers and Willowbrook Hospice.
In total he has raised about £5,000.
He hopes to raise £1,000 with the Ironman challenge and he can be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/IanBarkerIronman2012
A percentage of the takings at Le Brunch on the day of the event will also be donated to the charity.
Picture: Ian, in training for the cycling part of the challenge.