Dales teenager tackles triathlon to help Vietnamese children

Ali Le Carpentier, who works part-time as a lifeguard and leisure attendant at Bakewell Swimming Pool, has worked in Vietnam for the past three years with the Global Volunteer Network as part of its youth programme.

The 16 year–old, who also studies at Chesterfield College, plans to go back this summer to help children in Hanoi and Lang Son, teaching them English, arts, crafts and sports. Ali will also be caring for babies and helping disabled children with physiotherapy.

Her 16-mile triathlon challenge on Tuesday, June 25, will start with a mile swim in Derbyshire Dales District Council’s pool at Bakewell, followed by a 12-mile cycle and a three-mile run, finishing in the Dales village of Thorpe.

Ali is being supported by Rural Action Derbyshire’s Wheels to Work (W2W)’ scheme. It means she can now cycle to work from Flagg to Bakewell much more easily and conveniently for her shifts at the pool – and it is also helping with her training for the triathlon.

Already this year Ali has hosted a yard sale at her home at Ivy House Farm, Flagg, to raise funds for underprivileged children in Vietnam. The money goes towards, sensory toys, food, medical equipment and care.

She said: “I’ve fallen in love with the country and I can’t wait to get back there to see the kids and hopefully make a difference to their lives. Volunteering is incredibly rewarding and I’d thoroughly recommend giving it a try, even if it’s in the UK.”

To sponsor Ali’s triathlon challenge or make a donation, go online to www.gvnfoundation.org/ali

More information about the Global Volunteer Network can be found online at www.globalvolunteernetwork.org