Physio Dave’s in peak condition

Never could physio Dave Carter have imagined that he would himself be incurring the same injuries he’s been treating athletes for in the clinic.

Yet the 49-year old health-expert has done just that as he trains to tackle five epic charity challenges that will push him to the limit.

The physio has only suffered a sprained ankle so far in his quest to raise money for Francis House Hospice and Saddleworth Round Table’s Create a Wish fund.

A member of the Round Table, Dave, who owns a clinic in Mossley, has already defeated a sprint triathlon including a 400m swim and 14km bike ride.

But tomorrow he will raise the bar even higher as he attempts the London Olympic World Championship Triathlon.

He said: “I often treated this strange breed of athlete in the clinic.

“To be quite frank, I used to think they were perhaps a few slates short of a full roof, but now I can totally relate to them!

“I’d never done anything like this before but didn’t want to sit on the sidelines and do nothing.”

The next three months will also see Dave taking on the three peaks 24-hour challenge with a team of eight fellow members of the Saddleworth Round Table, a 14,000ft skydive in the Lake District and a marathon.

Dave, who joined the group four years ago, has been training around Mossley and Saddleworth as well as getting used to open-water swimming at Salford Quays.

He added: “I didn’t realise how much of my time it would take up — my family hardly know who I am!”

To sponsor Dave in his mission log on to the website at www.justgiving.com/rt558