A Honiton pensioner pushed his body to the limit in memory of his late partner - raising more than £900 for charity Hospiscare in the process.

Midweek Herald: Fundraiser Len Styles.Fundraiser Len Styles. (Image: Archant)

Len Styles, 79, who lives in Exeter Road, took part in a demanding triathlon, which saw him cycle 40 miles, run three miles, swim 24 lengths of a swimming pool, and jump 15,000 feet out of an aeroplane.

The daring grandfather of two had been planning his ambitious circuit for the last six years and said it was the right time to do it after he lost his partner Christine to cancer in 2015.

He decided to turn his efforts into a fundraiser for Hospiscare, which looked after Christine in her later months.

“Losing someone who was incredibly brave inspired me to undertake this as a challenge,” Len said. “I know she would be so proud of me - she kept telling me to do it and it was not until she passed away that I thought it was the right time.”

As part of his triathlon, Len cycled to Killerton House, where he took part in a 5k park run.

He then hopped back on his bike and pedalled to Honiton to swim the 24 lengths. After that, he cycled to Dunkeswell where he took part in a skydive.

Len said he hardly felt any nerves before his challenge, apart from feeling ‘a bit apprehensive’ about the swimming.

“My body coped well throughout it all,” Len said. “I have a history of doing triathlons.

“I am going to do a 24-hour run next year - it’s my 80th year so I am going to run 80 miles in 24 hours.

“I have run 54 miles in 24 hours before.”

Len also thanked his family and friends for the ‘brilliant support’ they gave him throughout the triathlon.