THE Ironman event is the best thing that could happen to our area. Having over the years lost the Navy, AUWE, New Look, and the Channel Islands Ferry, to name but a few, Tourism is now our biggest industry.

I was privileged to be a volunteer at Ironman this year and what a joy it was to mingle with the competitors and their families over their weekend, and to watch them training over the weeks before the event.

There was a real buzz in Weymouth, groups of young and not so young athletes and their families and friends enjoying the sunshine and spending their money in cafes, restaurants and hotels in Weymouth.

I wonder how many vacant hotel rooms there were that weekend at the end of the season, after the schools had gone back?

Come on Weymouth, we have a years notice of this event, maybe go away that weekend if you do not want to be involved, or plan a day at home.

Can we not be generous enough to welcome and share our lovely area which we are lucky enough to enjoy for 365 days a year, with an amazing, enthusiastic group of people who bring a lot of much needed money to the area over one weekend?

Yes sadly there are bound to be businesses that will loose out, but they will be in the minority, and maybe they should think ahead and maybe plan to have one day off...it is a Sunday after all.

Being an arthritic OAP I found the event truly inspirational.

Seeing what some of those competitors put themselves through, especially the not so fit ones who were raising money for charity, has got me out walking again! And never have I had so many "thank yous " before.

Come on Weymouth, let's get behind this event and give it our support. Try volunteering like I did and be inspired.

Thank you Ironman for coming to our town, long may you continue to do so.

Sue Stuart

Sutton Close Sutton Poyntz