Huddersfield-based tech boss Tim Mercer has this week embarked on a gruelling 286km challenge in aid of the charity Borne.

The five-day feat will see Tim – the CEO of cloud technology firm Vapour – complete 13km of runs, 20km of rowing and 211km of cycling, as well as the 42km Yorkshire Three Peaks climb in only eight hours!

The bold quest has been shaped to raise money for the charity that helps prevent premature birth. It forms the latest in a series of events organised by the Vapour team, as colleagues collectively strive to hit their £23,000 target, before the middle of next year.

When Tim first signed up for this mammoth challenge, he actually expected to be heading to the Caribbean sea, to make his way west across Costa Rica on foot, bike, kayak and raft.

His original adventure – which was billed as testing the limits of participants’ physical and mental endurance – would have seen him traverse remote jungle routes, reach heights of up to 3,000m, and pass coffee and sugar cane plantations, before reaching the Pacific Ocean.

But while Covid-19 put a halt to these once-in-a-lifetime plans, he was determined the pandemic would not impact on his fundraising. So, he’s swapping the jungle for the gym, and tackling most of his 286km at Reform – the on-site facility at Vapour’s Huddersfield HQ.

“When I first signed up for the Costa Rica coast to coast expedition – which would have seen me tackle the 286km with the likes of Will Greenwood MBE – I knew it was going to be tough. But if it was easy, why would people sponsor me?” said Tim.

“I don’t like to do anything half-heartedly. I’ve been training for months and didn’t want the planning and effort to go to waste. So, I put my thinking cap on, and have planned my own version of the challenge, which matches the Costa Rica itinerary as closely as possible – just with slightly different scenery!

“I really hope people will dig deep and support me, whether they donate to the JustGiving page or turn up to run a few kilometres alongside me!”

Vapour has raised £7,183.16 for Borne to date, with a golf day at Oulton Hall being the most recent event to boost the coffers.

To support Tim, you can donate via JustGiving and follow his progress on social media.

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