AN "epic'' triathlon will aim to raise hundreds of pounds to support local people who have lost loved ones.

Andrew Nichol, who works at Westlakes Science Park, is setting off this Saturday to swim the length of Buttermere, run up Scafell Pike, kayak down Derwent Water as well as cycle a route in around eight hours.

He is aiming to raise money in memory of his uncle, Adrian Messenger, 57, of Cleator Moor, who died last year on August 14, and to raise money for a bereavement group run by Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

Andrew said: "This is nothing compared to challenges Hospice at Home workers have to deal with on a day-to-day basis.''

His aunt, and Adrian's wife, Margaret, a former teacher at St Gregory and St Patrick's Catholic Community School in Whitehaven, has been attending one of the Hospice at Home bereavement groups. She said: "The group offers on-going support and help you to feel you are not alone.''    

Andrew said: "I wanted to do it for Hospice at Home because they have helped Margaret through some hard times.''

He has been training extensively for the challenge and last year completed the C2C in under 12 hours. Andrew has also previously taken part in the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon, where competitors included Gordon Ramsey. 

This weekend's challenge will see him cycling from Cockermouth to Buttermere before swimming the length of the lake. He will then run up Scafell Pike, cycle to Derwent Water, kayak across the its length to Keswick before cycling back to Cockermouth.

"I always like to set myself a challenge beyond my current ability so that it spurs me on to train harder,'' Andrew said. "I am apprehensive but looking forward to doing it. It will be an epic triathlon.''

Anyone wishing to donate can go to www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Nichol3