The Kaiser Challenge came about amidst the tragic and sudden loss of my beautiful Fiancé, Alex Kaiser aged 28, to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in 2012.
He was the most fantastic fiancé, son, brother, uncle and friend who embraced life and threw himself into all its challenges with abandon. He wasn't scared to try new things and approached life in a positive way and with a 'can-do' attitude. I was lucky enough to have six years with him and he made me the happiest woman alive.
We were due to be getting married on 7th July 2012 but on 28th April 2012, after a day of downhill mountain biking in South Wales, my beautiful man fell asleep and didn't wake up.
His death was (and still is) a shock and loss that is indescribable, but out of the negative we built a positive to focus upon, in order to survive. Thus The Kaiser Challenge was born.
United as a motley crew of people who loved him, knew him or simply wanted to support, we created the challenge in order to help raise funds and awareness of Cardiomyopathy whilst remembering a man who lived life to the fullest.
Each challenge brings a new element; in 2012 70 cyclists rolled over the finish line after riding 215 miles in three very wet days; 2013 saw 90 determined individuals undertake an 85km duathalon in the blazing sun and 2014 introduced wetsuits into the mix with 70 nutters swimming 1.5km before hopping on the bikes for 80km. We don't use the word 'challenge' lightly!
We have raised £95,517.83 for charity, and have been the number one fundraiser for CMA since we started - this year we are even representing them at the Queen's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace due to everything we have achieved! We are keen to maintain this success and energy for 2015, which is why your support and involvement this year is just as important. We have achieved great things, but we are still on the journey rather than a final destination...
So guess what? We want to do it all over again but, in the words of Monty Python - and now for something completely different…Introducing #MyKaiserChallenge. Check out 'The Challenge' button for details, then hit 'Sign Up' and join something that, I promise, will bring you new friends, pride and a personal achievement whilst also helping me, and all Kaiser's friends and family, to do an amazing thing in the name of an truly one-in-a-million fiancé, friend, son, brother and uncle.
And if you think you can't do it, then learn from Kaiser - YOU CAN!
"It always seems impossible until it is done"
Thank-you
Sarah & Team Pegasus
xx