Spidex Software has co-sponsored one of its customers to undertake a gruelling three-part physical challenge to raise funds for the charity Dementia UK.
Lee Manford is Maintenance Manager at the Sika Liquid Plastics manufacturing facility in Preston. Sika selected Spidex’s EPRAIS Permit-to-Work, Mainsaver CMMS and SpidexWM solutions earlier this year.
The physical trial Lee has set for himself consists of endurance bicycle, swimming and running events. “It’s basically an ‘Ironman’ challenge but the events are separated over a period of months” he says, adding self-effacingly “I’m calling the project ‘Leadman – softer and heavier’!”
The challenge consists of three elements. The first is a 203-mile return bicycle ride between Wolverhampton and Aberdovey which takes place in June. The second, a one-mile swim in the frigid open waters of Salford Quays, will happen the following month.
The final, most daunting hurdle will be the Chester Marathon, for which Lee is now in intensive training. “My objective is to complete the marathon in under 4 hours” he says. “I don’t exactly have the ideal distance runner’s frame (Lee is 6’ 5” and 16 stone) so I’m in no doubt how much work there is to do.”
Driving him forward in these endeavours is passion for the work of Dementia UK, whose support for those affected he has seen first-hand after a close relative was diagnosed with the condition aged just 44.
“I’m not an athlete, and I’ve never taken part in challenges like these previously” he says. “I’m just someone who cares greatly about this fantastic charity and for the valuable support and training they provide both for carers and healthcare professionals.”