Action man Gus to take plunge in latest fundraiser

4:43pm Thursday 9th March 2006

ACTION man Gus McKechnie is taking the plunge for the latest of his fundraising adventures.

Intrepid Mr McKechnie is already planning a worldwide odyssey for a range of physical events including the London and New York marathons and is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for good causes.

Now the 30-year-old Dorchester man is to complete a parachute jump as he tries to meet his £24,000 target.

He said: "It's something I have always wanted to do, so when the opportunity came along I thought 'why not?'.

"The only problem is I am afraid of heights.

"I'll try not to think about it too much, I just want to raise as much money as possible."

As well as preparing for the parachute jump, Mr McKecknie, who has the potentially life-threatening illness haemchromatosis, is busily training for the London marathon.

"Training is going well - it was slightly hindered by flu - but I am well on course now."

Last year Mr McKechnie, of James Road, rowed around the Isle of Wight in memory of his brother Andrew, who died in 2003 from haemchromatosis - a genetic condition which causes the blood to produce too much iron and leads to organ failure.

But the threat of the disease has not stopped him from rising to a range of challenges, which he says helps him cope with his disease.

As well as the parachute jump and marathons he also aims to: Cycle from Lands End to John O' Groats.

Cycle around Iceland.

Take part in the gruelling full Ironman triathlon at Sherborne.

Compete in the Boston marathon - a 50km rowing challenge in Lincolnshire.

Half the money will go towards the Children's Hospice Association with the rest being split between the Steve Redgrave Trust, the Lisa Wilson Scholarship Fund, the Helen Rollason Heal Cancer Charity and the GB Adaptive Trust, which supports rowers with disabilities.

Anyone interested in finding out more should visit the Related Link below.

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