SIXTEEN sporting challenges, eight months and more than 120 kilometres - Barry man Jon Hussey is pulling out all the stops in his bid to raise money for Alzheimer's research.

Jon has named his gruelling campaign "A Series of Unfortunate Events", a challenge that involves taking on half marathons, triathlons, lake swimming and exhausting obstacle courses at a rate of two or three a month.

Jon, 34, from Nant Talwg Way is doing his bit for Alzheimer's research in memory of his late grandmother.

In aid of Alzheimer's research at Cardiff University, a fund Jon became aware of through his sister - an alumna of the institute - since March Jon has completed 10 challenges including the St David’s Day 10k run, the Cardiff Bay five mile race, and the Blenheim Palace Triathlon.

“I'd never competed in a triathlon before," Jon, a sheltered housing coordinator with Newydd Housing, said. "I've run competitively but I haven't cycled or swam competitively, so I had to learn open water swimming, the concept of mass starts in water, how to transition out of a wetsuit and get onto a bike.

"It was a massive relief when I got to the run at the end - something I actually understood."

Through August and September Jon will compete in the Tough Mudder endurance race, the two mile Loch Lomond swim, the Cardiff half marathon and hardcore obstacle race the "Chepstow Stampede".

“I'm doing a lot of strength work in the gym for the Tough Mudder obstacles and have increased my swimming sessions before work," he said.

"I'm also visiting Bristol to swim outdoors in my wetsuit on weekends when possible.

"After these two I'm going to ease off on the strength work and increase the running again in preparation for the half marathon and some of the other runs.

"As for the Chepstow Stampede, I haven't quite worked that out yet."

Jon said that despite how hard his challenge is, he is - so far - having a great time raising money for a great cause.

“The experience so far has been fantastic,” he said.

“I can honestly say I'm having the best year of my life. I feel like I'm doing something with meaning and purpose that may make a small contribution to a huge problem."

To donate to Jon’s fundraising campaign visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/jonhussey1