A group of colleagues from Barnardo’s in Preston is taking on a triathlon challenge to raise funds and awareness for the children’s charity.

Throughout June the group, which also includes a service user, will run 26.2 miles, swim 2.4 miles and cycle 112 miles as part of the Barnardo’s iTri event.

Group member Rebecca King said: “Some of us doing the triathlon have either completed or almost completed all our miles, and the rest of us are working hard to finish it all in the next few days! 

“We’re doing the challenge to raise money for services which have been hugely affected by austerity, but also to raise awareness about the type of work that Barnardo’s does.

“Many people know about our charity shops, but fewer people actually know what the charity shops raise money for, and the good work that the different services do with children, young people and families.

“At Barnardo’s Include Me 2, we provide after-school, weekend and holiday groups for children with special needs and disabilities. Hundreds of young people attend our groups which run in Preston, South Ribble, and beyond. They do fun activities supported by staff in order to socialise and learn new skills, giving their parents a short break at the same time.

“Through Lancashire’s Participation Service, which we run from our Preston office, we aim to get the voices of children in care and young people with special needs and disabilities heard within the local authority. The young people are involved in campaigns, recruitment of new staff, training staff and inspecting services for children.”

Read more: Preston personal trainer rows 1,000km for St Catherine’s Hospice

The group is aiming to raise £500. To make a donation visit JustGiving.