A WINSFORD man is taking on a gruelling tri-sport challenge – three years after doctors told him he would never run again.

Dave Pickles, 41, suffered a serious back injury after falling out of a tree in 2013.

He was told he would never be able to run again, but incredibly he managed to defy doctors without the need for surgery. Six months after his accident he ran his first sprint triathlon.

On Saturday, April 2, Dave will push his body to the limits and consecutively swim, cycle and run for four hours a piece.

Dave is taking on the challenge to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice, which treated his wife after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2014.

“The service provided to my wife and us as a family was critical during a time of deep darkness,” Dave said.

“The love, kindness, care and beautiful human nature of those working at St. Luke's Hospice within the Cheshire community is essential to helping those touched by cancer.”

Dave and his wife both received complementary therapies during her time at St Luke’s, which he described as a ‘pillar of strength within the community’.

“I want to raise as much as possible for St Luke’s, and it’s also about raising awareness”, he said.

“You might not know about St Luke’s unless you need the support, but walking in here is like walking into a little oasis. It is fantastic.”

Dave will now put himself through a gruelling 10-week training programme in preparation for April’s tri-sport challenge, which will also mark the opening of the ‘flagship’ Crewe Lifestyle Centre.

He hopes his story will provide inspiration and hope to people in the Cheshire community, and has invited people to come and join him on the day.

David said: “I love to see people coming together, I want children, including my daughter, to believe that they can do anything.

“I really want people to feel connected to the event, and to come along and ride a bike or run with me for 10 minutes, half an hour, or even the four hours.

“It’d be great if other people took up something new for a good reason.”

Angela Slack, St Luke’s Hospice’s corporate and community fundraiser at said: “This is such a fantastic challenge.

“We are so grateful for Dave’s ongoing support for St Luke’s. I’m looking forward to joining Dave for part of his cycle on the big day.”

To donate to Dave’s tri-sport challenge visit justgiving.com/David-pickles101EDGE/