Warwick father-daughter team complete 24-hour endurance event for charity

A Father and his disabled daughter known as ‘team ladybugs’ from Warwick, have completed several challenges - including a 24-hour endurance event - in aid of the Children’s Air Ambulance.

Stephan Couture and his daughter Chloe (14), who was born with cerebral palsy and is registered severely visually impaired, have participated in countless races and more than 50 triathlons.

Nothing stops Chloe, who is taken around the triathlon courses by Stephan, allowing her to participate in the full experience.

Stephan pulls Chloe along on a bespoke designed kayak during the swim, he then tows her on his bike in a specially modified wheelchair, which he then pushes on the run.

“Whilst during lockdown we have been able to continue training safely and during this time we have covered over 700 miles", said Stephan. "We have missed our events dearly, so we thought that we could do some events for a few charities that supply amazing services."

Operated by The Air Ambulance Service, which also runs the local Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance, the Children’s Air Ambulance is a vital inter-hospital transfer service flying critically ill babies and children from one hospital to another for specialist care.

The father and daughter duo started their challenge on the July 18 with a half marathon and then completed a standard distance triathlon at Mallory Park in Leicestershire on July 20.

The last leg of their week took place last Saturday (July 25) where they took on a 24-hour endurance event, in conjunction with Trust Races, consisting of a mixture of biking and running.

Stephan said: “Chloe and I are happy to have completed our events, the endurance event was more challenging than we thought as the weather was terrible.

"Despite the torrential rain, we got through it with a smile and are hoping to have helped vital charities like the Children’s Air Ambulance.”

Talking about their reasons for choosing the lifesaving children’s charity, Stephan added: "Many people don’t know that there is also a dedicated air ambulance, especially for children.

"So far this year they have completed over 42 patient transfers and flown a clinical team to a specialist hospital to help save a child’s life.

“An average callout for the Children’s Air Ambulance costs £3,500, which is nothing to save a life.

“They don’t get any government funding for their daily missions, and like the other two charities we are supporting, they rely on the generosity of the public.”

Lee Bunting, community fundraising executive for the Children’s Air Ambulance, said: “After speaking with Stephan, I felt absolutely humbled by what he and Chloe have done for charities like ours.

“They are very inspirational and it is clear that they do what they do because they are incredibly passionate about helping to raise as much money as they can for vital causes.

“To achieve what they have, in the weather that they had to endure, is nothing short of phenomenal and I applaud both Stephan and Chloe for their tenacity and determination.

"It’s a real honour to be chosen as one of their selected charities."

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/tcaa putting ‘Team Ladybugs’ in the comment box.