A Southport fundraiser is preparing to take on a gruelling 70.3-mile Ironman challenge after losing three members of his family to suicide.
Daniel Cardwell will swim, cycle and run the IRONMAN 70.3 Weymouth this Sunday, 20 September, as he aims to raise £10,000 for suicide prevention organisation The Jordan Legacy.
Daniel has spent the past 18 months training for the challenge, which will see him complete a 1.2-mile sea swim followed by a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run.
He is completing his final training sessions this week before making the journey from Southport to the south coast on Friday.
The challenge has a deeply personal meaning for Daniel, who has experienced the devastating loss of his brother Craig and his cousins Jacqueline Cardwell and Jason Cardwell to suicide.
He hopes his fundraising will help The Jordan Legacy continue its work raising awareness of suicide prevention and encouraging practical action in schools, workplaces and communities.
Daniel, who has a four-year-old son, works as National Strategy Manager for Energy & Infrastructure at Nationwide Platforms, part of Loxam Group.
Originally from St Helens, where he attended De La Salle School, he moved to Southport four years ago.
Sport has long played an important part in his life, with Daniel having previously represented England Basketball at junior level.
But preparing for this weekend’s endurance event has required 18 months of dedicated training as he gets ready to tackle one of his toughest physical challenges yet.
The Jordan Legacy CIC was established in August 2020 following the death of founder Steve Phillip’s son, Jordan, in December 2019.
The organisation works to raise awareness of suicide and the practical actions individuals, schools, workplaces and communities can take to help prevent it.
Its long-term vision is to help create what it describes as a “Zero Suicide Society”.
Daniel is now hoping supporters will help him reach his £10,000 fundraising target.
Daniel 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.”
People can support Daniel through his JustGiving fundraising page here.
His training and Ironman journey can also be followed on Instagram at @ironmandan70_3
Anyone who is struggling or needs someone to talk to can contact Samaritans free at any time by calling 116 123.
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