A courageous fundraiser is taking on a 70.3-mile Iron Man challenge this weekend after losing three members of his own family to suicide.
Daniel Cardwell, who lives in Southport, is going to swim, cycle and run the Ironman 70.3 Weymouth this Sunday (20th September 2026) as he aims to raise £10,000 for The Jordan Legacy. He has been in training for the past 18 months.
People can support his JustGiving page here: Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving
He is doing his final training this week before making the six-hour trip to the south coast on Friday and then competing in the gruelling event, which will include a 1.3m swim in the sea followed by a 56m bike ride and then a 13.2m run.
Daniel was devastated at losing his brother Craig to suicide along with his two cousins, Jacqueline Cardwell and Jason Cardwell.
The National Strategy Manager for Energy & Infrastructure for Nationwide Platforms (Loxam Group) who lives in Southport. He was born and grew up in St Helens, going to school at De La Salle School in St Helens, before moving to Southport four years ago.
He has been inspired to raise funds for the The Jordan Legacy, which exists to raise awareness about suicide and the practical actions schools, workplaces and communities can take to prevent one of the most preventable deaths in the UK and globally.
Daniel, who has a four-year-old son, is someone who knows all about fitness, having played for England Basketball at junior level.
He said: “This Sunday (20th September 2026), I’ll be taking on Ironman 70.3 Weymouth! Fingers crossed I will complete it.
“I’ve been through 18 months of training, early mornings, long sessions, setbacks and pushing myself further than I ever thought I could.
“My motivation throughout has been to do all I can to support The Jordan Legacy, who I have worked with for a couple of years now.
“I lost my brother to suicide, and my cousins. For me personally and my family, the Cardwells, we have lost three family members to suicide. It’s devastating as too many families sadly know.
“We hail from St Helens, which has one of the highest suicide rates in the UK.
“My aim is to try and raise £10,000 to try and support The Jordan Legacy.
“Their story is very much like mine.
“Steve, who was Jordan’s Dad, and Steve’s daughter, Danielle, are a small team who do what they do day in and day out.
“Their mission is to do everything they can to prevent other families experiencing the devastation of suicide.
“Today, they work across the UK raising awareness and helping schools, workplaces and communities understand the practical steps we can all take to prevent suicide. Their vision is to move towards a Zero Suicide Society.
“They are a small team, supported by volunteers and donations, but their ambition is huge.
“It is because of them that I am doing the Ironman 70.3 Weymouth this weekend.
“So first and foremost I’d like to give a shout out to Steve and Danielle for everything they do because I can swim, I can run, I can cycle, but I could not do what they do day in, day out – thank you, because people need what you do for them.
“For everyone else out there – what they are doing could be for you. It could be for a friend, it could be for a loved one, who needs that help and support.
“The whole mantra around The Jordan Legacy is to try and reduce the number of suicides in the UK. Because the numbers are rising. It’s a fact. It’s not going down.
“I’m pledging now to keep going until I get this £10,000.
“If there’s anything I can ask – if people can kindly share any of my posts, if you could donate, it would be much appreciated.
“If any businesses would like to sponsor me you will be very much welcome.
“There is still time. I have got all my triathlon stuff ready and I am just doing my last few bits before I set off this Friday for a six hour journey down South.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone for your donations up to now, it really means a lot.
“Every share helps spread the message.
“Every donation helps The Jordan Legacy continue its work.
“And ultimately, every conversation about suicide could help save a life.”
You can follow Daniel’s journey at: Instagram
Each year, over 7,000 men, women and children take their own lives in the UK, impacting almost 1 million people known to them collectively.
The vision of The Jordan Legacy is to move towards a ‘Zero Suicide Society’, that is willing and able to do all it can to prevent all preventable suicides.
The Jordan Legacy CIC was formed in August 2020 following the death of the founder’s son, Jordan Phillip, on 4th December 2019.
People can support Daniel’s fundraiser on his JustGiving page here: Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving
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