Sally’s Tri-Tribute: A challenge fuelled by love

Sally Colley, 40, is known for her adventurous and active fundraising challenges – and this would be no exception, if not for the fact that she’d decided to go one better and take on not one but five separate triathlons in as many days.

Sally said, “It all started with a burning desire to do something, anything, that would make a difference, raise awareness, display alliance… then it came to me: I would do an Olympic Triathlon each day, for five days.”

Olympic Triathlons consist of a 1.5km swim, 40km cycle, 10km run so for Sally’s challenge, that’s a whopping 7.5km swim, 200km cycle and 50km run over the course of 5 days. For those not on the metric system, that’s 4.6 miles swimming, 122.5 miles cycling and 31 miles of running in five days!

As part of her challenge, Sally sought to raise funds, and awareness, of three charities close to her heart: St Oswald’s Hospice, Alzheimer’s Society and Cancer Research.

Sally explains, “My dad (Ted) died almost 10 years ago following a cancer diagnosis and spent time at St Oswald’s; whilst caring for him, the Hospice also supported us as a family during that difficult time, and it meant such a lot.

“More recently, my mum (Sue), has courageously completed her chemotherapy and cancer treatment, and is a huge inspiration and encouragement to me, so it seems fitting – and slightly wild – to take on a challenge of this magnitude.”

Since 2016, both Sally and her mum Sue have continued to fundraise for St Oswald’s Hospice in many different ways including a Machu Picchu trek in 2022 – a lifelong dream of Sue’s which she completed in memory of her husband Ted.

With the date set for September 2025, Sally began her training and by her own admission, this was a challenge within itself, and that’s before she got stuck into event logistics and route organisation.

“There were lots of late nights, conversations with my mum, and cyclist friends who helped with routes and some of the more practical elements like route surfaces, safety and how to use Garmin!” said Sally.

During her training, Sally managed to gather a core team around herself including friend Claudette, who would complete the full 5 day challenge as well as other friends who completed the running and cycling elements of the triathlons.

When it came to deciding on her ‘big challenge’, Sally took inspiration from her parents and some of the places in the UK that held special memories for them. Five locations were decided upon:

1. Hathersage, Peak District 1^st Sept
2. Kirby Lonsdale, Yorkshire Dales 2^nd Sept
3. Mussleburgh, Edinburgh 3^rd Sept
4. Druridge Bay, Northumberland 4^th Sept
5. Gateshead and Newcastle Upon Tyne 5^th Sept

Throughout the challenge, Sally remained motivated and encouraged thanks to her friends, her mum and her husband.

Sally reflected, “It was brutal but so rewarding. To have the support of my friends and family meant the world, and they really helped me to stay focused.

“When I was training, I was able to meet Sir Chris Hoy and tell him all about my triathlon challenge. He gave me some excellent advice: “Just stay focused and stay in the here and now”, and that really stayed with me.”

Sally hoped to raise £5,000 to support her three chosen charities and to date, she’s at £6,321.

Bethany George, Fundraising Co-Ordinator at St Oswald’s said, “We’re all in awe of Sally and Claudette, for taking on and completing this epic challenge. On behalf of everyone here at St Oswald’s, we’d like to say a massive thank you for your support and a huge well done for completing five triathlons in five days!”

If you’re inspired to take on a challenge in support of St Oswald’s Hospice, no matter how big or small, we’d love to hear from you. Please email supportercare@stoswaldsuk.org with your details and we’ll be in touch.