Oldmeldrum
dad Jonathan Cordiner has
successfully completed one of the world’s toughest ultra triathlon races - the
Vinfast IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii. In completing this epic
challenge, Jonathan is also raising money for both Kayleigh’s Wee Stars
(KWS) and the Ellon Wheel Park
project.
Lossiemouth-born Jonathan was part of an elite
group of triathletes from around the world who qualified for the World IRONMAN
Championship in Hawaii on Saturday, October 8. The course, in
Kailua-Kona, comprised a 2.4 mile open-water swim, a 112 mile bike stage,
followed by a 26 mile run.
Jonathan, who was competing alongside his
brother, Stephen Cordiner, completed the gruelling 140.6 mile course in 10
hours and 25 minutes, while Stephen crossed the line in 9 hours and 14 minutes.
Jonathan finished in 257th place out of 419 in the Male 35 – 39
category, and 985th overall out of 2,378 competitors. In the male 40
– 44 age category, Stephen finished 22nd out of 548, and 133rd
overall.
Jonathan
and his wife Anna set up Kayleigh’s Wee Stars (KWS) in 2012 to provide financial support for families
where a child has a terminal illness. When Kayleigh was diagnosed in December
2011, they took time off work, vowing to make her last few months as special
and memorable as possible. They set up the charity to help relieve the
financial pressure on other families with a terminally ill child.
Jonathan said: “When my daughter Kayleigh became poorly, I found exercise to
be a positive way of coping and staying strong. Having started out as a runner
10 years ago, one thing led to another, and I have been competing in Iron Man
events over the last few years. I’ve been
collecting lots of medals for Kayleigh over the years, but this one is the
biggest so far, and I’m overjoyed to have done it for Kayleigh and my girls.
I’m so grateful to my wife, Anna and our daughters, Charlotte and Emma for all
the love and support they have given me – I couldn’t have done it without them.
I would also like to thank my wider support crew of family and friends – your
words of encouragement spurred me on when the going got tough!
“Thanks to everyone who has sponsored me so far - this means
that we can continue to support families who are caring for a terminally ill
child. At this most harrowing time in their lives, our support can alleviate
some of the financial pressure, and help courageous children and their families
to make precious memories together.”
Jonathan’s fundraising will also contribute to the Ellon
Wheel Park development fund. The Ellon Wheel Park committee is a community
group which is developing a new wheeled sports facility for the North-east,
which will comprise a cycling pump track, racing track and skate park in the
town’s Gordon Park. The project has been awarded planning permission, and a
Community Asset Transfer agreed. The focus is now on raising sufficient funds
to start building work in 2023, with discussions ongoing with SportScotland and
Scottish Cycling about funding as part of the 2023 Cycling World Championships
coming to Scotland.
Jonathan added: “Ellon is a
community I have been very much part of over the past 10 years. I owe a
great deal to Ythan Cycle Club both in terms of getting me into cycling, and
also the club are massive ambassadors for Kayleigh's Wee Stars.
Furthermore, their efforts in terms of trying to encourage, develop and support
children and young people in cycling are incredible - indeed our girls
Charlotte and Emma continue to love their cycling as a result of the wonderful
coaches at QL.
“The Wheel Park
is an exciting project for Ellon and the wider region, and aims to provide
opportunities across a range of sports and activities for people of all
ages. I would love to try and contribute in some small way to this
project.”
To donate to Jonathan’s fundraising efforts please visit: Jonathan
Cordiner is fundraising for Kayleigh's Wee Stars (justgiving.com).
You can find out more about KWS at: www.kayleighsweestars.co.uk and about the Ellon Wheel Park project at: https://www.facebook.com/ellonwheelspark/.
KWS has also recently launched tickets for their dinner and
dance at Thainstone Centre, Inverurie on Saturday 18th March 2023.
Tickets are £70 individually and £700 for a table of 10. The evening will
include a three-course meal, an auction and dancing to award-winning Scottish
band, ‘Splendid Gentlemen’. The event will start at 7pm, with Huntly Pipe Band
welcoming guests in rousing fashion. If you would like to purchase tickets for
the night, or donate prizes for the auction, please visit: Million Pound Ball - Kayleigh's Wee
Stars (kayleighsweestars.co.uk)