Triathlon grueller in aid of struggling Wigan hub

Stuart Broad decided to do the challenge to help Abram Community Centre which is unable to function as usual due to lockdown.

Normally around 17 groups would ues the centre on a weekly basis and it would hold events such as parties and christenings.

And Stuart will be doing the Ulverson Triathlon on April 4 in the South Lakes, which consists of a 400m swim and 28km bike ride and finishes with a gruelling 5.8km run.

He is doing this to build up cash for the maintenance and running of the centre.

Speaking on Stuart’s behalf, fellow director Steven Hyde, who has been involved in organising the event and co-ordinating the fund-raising, said: “The three directors that run the centre are myself Steven Hyde, Stuart Broad and Andrew Spencer. We’ve been directors for over three years and we all have full time jobs as well.

“Abram Community Centre is run completely by volunteers with no one in a paid roll. We are proud to support the youth and community of Abram.

“Many groups and organisations use the centre and we have a fully licensed bar for parties at the weekends.

“The pandemic has really affected us and before November it wasn’t so bad as we had certain groups that were exempt such as Slimming World, but now with the latest lockdown there is nothing.”

Steven said that all three directors are leaders of the 15th Wigan Boys Brigade and Girls Association based at the centre, with over 50 years of voluntary work between them. He said that there has been a Boys Brigade in Abram since 1944.

He said: “Our aim is to provide a community venue for people to use at a very reasonable price.

“All money made from hiring the centre goes to back into the centre.”

Steven went on to encourage people to sponsor Stuart as he bids to raise £2,000 - and his efforts have already seen him raise more than £600.

He said: “Stuart has trained so hard for this event all over Christmas and in all weathers.

He’s so committed and has lost a lot of weight as well.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has kindly sponsored Stuart, it’s so very much appreciated.”

To sponsor Stuart, visit Just Giving and search for Abram Community Centre.

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