ANDY Lewis’s colleagues have been inspired by the Rio-bound world champion para-triathlete, to undertake a mammoth challenge for charity.

The team are raising money for Hospice UK by cycling, running, and swimming more than 1,000 miles in less than two months.

Airbus employee Tom Cole, who organised the challenge, said: “We embarked on the mission in late July and are absolutely flying against our target. We’re based across four sites in Filton, Broughton in North Wales, Bremen in Germany and Toulouse in France.

“The triathlon is equivalent to the distance travelled by the aircraft wings between these sites, and is in proportion to the Olympic triathlon: 1036 miles cycling, 260 miles running, and 40 miles swimming.

“We want to recognise the fantastic efforts of Andy Lewis. His determination to keep pushing himself to achieve his goals is very inspiring. We also believed it was a great reason to get people out of their chairs and off their sofas whilst supporting a wonderfully deserving charity”.

Andy added: “I’m touched to think that I’ve inspired others, especially in my workplace. This journey has not been easy but these three words are tattooed on my heart and I ask that others use these words with real meaning: ‘never give up’. No matter what happens in life, if you believe you can achieve.”