Preston entrepreneur Luke Massie taking on Ironman for youth charity

Luke Massie, CEO and founder of Lancashire business Vibe, has achieved success as a businessman and has now set his sights on becoming an Ironman.

The 30-year-old entrepreneur from Preston is no stranger to facing challenges head on and works incredibly hard for his success.

Turning 30 at the beginning of this year, made him start to reflect on his life, where he had come from and what he had truly achieved.

Luke said: “Like many people facing a milestone birthday it made me really reflective. I’m very proud of what I have achieved but I realised I’d sacrificed my entire 20s to focus on building my business.

“I had to acknowledge that I hadn’t really achieved any of my personal goals.”

Luke Massie with children at Inspire Youth Zone in Chorley

It was this realisation that made him want to achieve his personal goal of becoming an Ironman and really challenge his mind, body and soul.

Luke explained: “I’m a firm believer that whatever you truly commit to, you can achieve. I’ve always been a fit lad and tried to train and look after myself.

“So I thought ‘why not tackle the biggest challenge: An Ironman’. And do it in the North West, representing Lancashire.”

Having never done a triathlon and not even run a full marathon Luke, signing up to Ironman 2023 in Bolton on 2 July, made his commitment and began his gruelling training programme.

The challenge isn’t purely personal as Luke wants to raise awareness and funds for a charity close to his heart.

Inspire Youth Zone, a children’s charity located in Chorley, is a safe space for young people aged 8-19 (and up to 25 with additional needs).

Open when schools are shut, they provide a range of activities alongside hot nutritious meals, and work to transform young lives.

Luke said: “As a young lad growing up in Ingol, Preston, where money was not only tight it was simply out of the question as we didn’t have any, I spent nearly all my school holidays in youth clubs.

“Right in the middle of our council estate we were lucky enough to have INTAG (Ingol and Tanterton action group) so I know first hand how important these centres are for not only young people but also their parents.

“They really are the pillar of our communities and they need help delivering the vital service that they do.”

The youth zone provides a range of activities working to transform the lives of young people

Inspire works tirelessly to unlock the potential of the next generation. Home is not always a happy stable place, but when young people walk through the doors of the Youth Zone they can feel a sense of belonging and are surrounded by positive role models and peers, all of whom push them to achieve greatness in whatever form that may take.

In a world where opportunity is often determined by where you are born or what your parents can give you, Inspire allows all young people to dream bigger, push harder, and go on to get the most out of life that it has to offer.

Andrew Turner, chairman of Inspire Youth Zone said: “We are delighted that Luke has chosen to take part in The Ironman on our behalf.

“As a charity, we were already under real financial pressure and the cost of living and inflation has only intensified this.

“This winter, gas and electricity alone has cost an additional £40,000 to last year and if we can’t fill these shortfalls in funding, a reduction in service will be our only option.

“Inspire does incredible things, but without the support of individuals and businesses, we simply wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

“Sincere thanks go to Luke, not just for fundraising on our behalf, but for helping us to showcase the importance of our facilities – Luke is proof of the impact they have on lives.”

To get involved or show your support go to the JustGiving Website.