A promising International Trisportspeople at just 16, Callum Stedman, from Norfolk, starts an amazing fundraising challenge in aid of our charity this week. While the usual Triathlon events Callum would enter are all being written off the calendar, and social distancing becomes a kind of norm, Callum has decided to use his individual training in another way to benefit others during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Callum has pledged to swim, cycle or run one kilometre for every pound that he raises for Sporting Wellness. And Callum has pledged to continue with his mission for as long as the donations keep coming in!
Alongside training seven days a week, and usually working in the TriHarder Triathlon shop and a local pub, Callum attends Reepham College in Norfolk where he is studying Business, PE and Sociology A Levels. On the surface, Callum is well known for being one of the liveliest and confident people you could meet. Yet, underneath that it is a different story – Callum has struggled with depression and anxiety for the past few years. He has personal experience of the pressures that being a young elite sportspeople brings, the mental strain and lack of self belief that can come with the otherwise highs that his sport usually provides.
Callum had been in touch with our Founder Callum Lea, to talk about his mental health – Callum then started seeing a counsellor on a weekly basis. Callum Stedman told us “This amazing support has helped tremendously with both my mental and physical wellbeing. And the great news is that I now feel able to throw myself back into training properly, knowing that the personal support will be there when needed. So to raise money for the charity that helped me through my tougher times, I begin my fundraising challenge for Sporting Wellness on the 25th May – wish me luck!”.
Callum, our Founder said “What Callum is doing for us is just fantastic and very much welcomed – his fundraising will go a long way to help us to help others. It’s a fact that those with existing mental health conditions are struggling more than usual right now, while many who have never experienced mental health issues before are experiencing anxieties for the first time. We know this from the increased calls for support that we have received from young sportspeople over the last couple of months.”
Donations to Callum’s Triathlon fundraising can be made via this link:
Callum Stedman Fundraising Page