Iron man Charlie is back in action

Aug 6 2009 by Alison Rennie, Paisley Daily Express

DAREDEVIL lawyer Charlie McCusker is preparing for his biggest fundraising challenge yet.

The popular legal eagle is travelling to Norway to take part in the Norseman Extreme Triathlon – billed as the hardest Iron Man competition in the world.

Since Charlie and his cousin David and their friend Kenny McKenzie set up Beanfeast Children’s Charity in 2002, Charlie has ran the Marathon De Sable through the Sahara Desert, endured the Amazonian Jungle Marathon, swam the English Channel, ran the West Highland Way – twice – excelled at Iron Man Austria and, last year, swam the 13 miles from Ardrossan to Brodick.

But he admits the Norwegian triathlon is his biggest challenge to date.

He said: “I applied to take part because it seemed to be a good idea at the time.

“Now I’m thinking, oh dear. What have I done?

“It will be worth it at the end though, at the top of that hill I’m having a pint!”

Charlie heads out to Norway on Thursday, August 6, and will race on Saturday, August 8.

His wife Susan and 14-year-old son Jack are going with him to Norway to support him.

Charlie’s challenge starts at 3am when the competitors jump off the back of a ferry into the sea to start their 2.2 mile swim.

Once he’s finished the swim, Charlie will then cycle 112 miles – uphill. After the cycle, Charlie will run a marathon – 26 miles – again uphill.

When asked how long he thinks it’s going to take, he joked: “Forever!

“It’s billed as the hardest triathlon in the world because it’s all uphill.

“I’ve done triathlons in about 15 hours before but this should be about 18 or 19 hours.”

Charlie decided to do the Norseman Extreme Triathlon because he turned 50 this year.

He explained: “That’s why I’m doing this one, to celebrate turning half a century.

“We’ve been fundraising since 2002 and the last event will be 2011. That will be 10 years so this is one of the last chances to sponsor me!

“I don’t know what I’ll do next year but in 2011 I’ll be doing the Marathon Des Sables because it was the first event I did for Beanfeast.

“My friends and family are all used to me doing crazy things, now I’m doing something harder than anything I’ve ever done before.

“Even I think this is going to be tough. It might be a bridge too far but I’ll see.”

Dad-of-two Charlie has been a lawyer in Paisley for over 20 years and lives with his family in Bridge of Weir.

He’s hoping to raise £30,000 which will be split between three worthy causes.

They are the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), Clippens School in Linwood and Glenburn School, which is in Greenock.

Charlie said: “We’ve been raising money for CHAS since the beginning through the canteens which are in various Sheriff Courts, including Paisley.

“Last year I did the swim between Ardrossan and Arran and raised money for Clippens School.

“The staff there were great and came along to support me and I think it’s a really worthwhile cause.

He added: “I’m now going begging off lawyers and things.

“Anyone who wants to donate some money to the charity can also go on to my JustGiving website.”

l To find out more about Charlie’s challenge and donate to Beanfeast, go to www.justgiving.com/beanfeastiron man