A CO-ORGANISER of the Clacton triathlon appeared as a guest speaker at the Brain and Spine Foundation’s 25th anniversary.

The foundation, which supports people with neurological problems, celebrated its milestone last week at the Royal College of Surgeons, in London.

Speaking at the event was John Kedge, who has helped raise more than £80,000 for the foundation from co-organising the Clacton triathlon since 1999.

John, of Holland Road, Clacton, said he has been a part of the original triathlon organising team from the beginning which raises money to help fund research into brain and spine conditions.

He said: “I had a friend at Clacton swimming club who broke his neck in an accident and became quadriplegic.

"And another friend associated with the swimming club sadly passed away from a brain haemorrhage.

“So a group of us decided to that we wanted to benefit a charity related to the brain and spine.

“We became part of the Brain and Spine Foundation in 1999, which was founded to promote more knowledge on the spine and brain and support both carers and those affected.”

John was appointed as one of the foundation’s volunteer community ambassadors last year and spoke to more than 100 guests at the anniversary event about how the Clacton triathlon has given substantial proceeds to the foundation for nearly two decades.

He said: “I had the privilege of talking about how the triathlon started and how much people have raised for the Brain and Spine Foundation.

"The Clacton triathlon is now the most regular contributor to the foundation.”

John is now working as part of a team of five people to help raise the profile of the foundation around Essex.

He is also helping organiser this year’s Clacton triathlon which is will take place on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1.

For more information on the triathlon and the Brain and Spine Foundation visit, www.brainandspine.org.uk/clacton-triathlon-0.