TWO Malvern dentists are learning the drill for taking part in their first triathlon.

Karen Sutton and David Watson of Beacon DentalCare in Malvern Link have set themselves the challenge of competing in the Warwickshire Triathlon at Stratford upon Avon at the end of September to raise money for charity. They will swim 400 metres, cycle 23km and then run 5km and there is some competition for scoring the fastest time!

Dr Sutton said: "When I agreed to take part in this triathlon I don’t think I realised what a challenge it would be, to fit in all the training required for the three different events, as well as balance my work and family life. I had only cycled to the shops and couldn’t swim front crawl at all before I entered so it’s been a really steep learning curve this summer."

Mr Watson added: "Before I started this challenge I couldn’t run down the drive of the practice and hadn’t swam more than 25 yards since I was 16. The training has been really pushing me to my limits but I have enjoyed finding strengths I didn’t know I had. The charity I am supporting does such amazing work to help children with dental pain that I think it’s the least I can do to go through a bit of discomfort in order to help so many. When I went to Morocco with the Dental Mavericks Charity two years ago it was easy to see how much a difference they make to children’s lives."

Dr Sutton is supporting local charity Malvern Community Action, of which she also a trustee. Donations can be made on www.justgiving.com/Karen-Sutton3 or uk.virginmoneygiving.com/DAVIDWATSON18