McLaren’s Jenson Button Heads For the London Triathlon to Support Make-a-Wish Foundation
The cars, teams and factories have worked really hard throughout the 2010 Formula One season. As twelve races of the season have already passed, now the hard working F1 racers get ready for a much earned break (before the Belgian Grand Prix on 29 August). Most of the racers have packed up their racing suits as they plan to have all the fun of the year with their friends and families.
One of the racers who is not doing so, however, is the McLaren driver, Jenson Button, who is heading instead to London to partake in the world famous London Triathlon.
This annual event is considered to be the largest one around the world, and is scheduled to take place this Saturday and Sunday and would involve 11,000 participants. It includes a very demanding swimming race over 1500-metres, a bike riding of 40-kilometres and a run for a distance of 10-kilometres.
During last year’s season, Button, who is also a regular triathlon competitor, impressively finished the event at overall second place in his age category.
Besides the fact that he considers it to be an ideal way of staying fit for the Grands Prix, the British driver enrols in the event for a much nobler reason, that is to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The 30 year-old is a sponsor of the charity organization, which helps young people who are fighting various life-threatening illnesses through their wish-granting work.
While talking to the official website of the organization, he said that he is looking forward to having a great weekend ahead, as it has always been for him. He said, “I can’t quite believe how much has happened over the last 12 months and a large part of that was the fantastic sum of money that we managed to raise last year.”
He left a message for his fans on his official website saying that it had been a couple of years now that he was partaking in the event not only to keep himself fit for racing, but also to raise money for a cause that is so close to his heart.
He further said that he feels lucky to have met a lot of kids who are supported by the foundation. He stated that he considers it a privilege to be a part of this great foundation. “The kids are so inspirational and hopefully we can raise enough money to fulfil as many of their dreams as possible,” the British racer said.
The London Triathlon is to raise its curtain this Saturday, and will continue on Sunday, August 8, as well. After having a nice finish at second place, Button now hopes to end at first place this year, though he said that he wants to take the event more lightly and with less pressure.
Last year, he was able to raise almost £20,000, and he is anticipating a lot more in this year’s event. Moreover, he was successful in convincing Vernon Kay, an English television presenter, former model and a radio DJ to take part as well, who would be running the bucket race next to him.
“It’s an even bigger task this year due to the very high benchmark we set ourselves last time, so please, please dig into your pockets and sponsor me,” he concluded.
The event is set to be tremendously exciting, as a couple of other Formula One people are expected to be there, so all race lovers, keep your fingers crossed for a thrilling race weekend!
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