Man living with MS set for triathlon challenge

15 August 2025

Emma Davies,BBC Hereford & Worcesterand

Tanya Gupta,BBC News, West Midlands

News image — Richard Rudd enjoys fishing and laser clay shooting

Richard Rudd Richard Rudd is fishing at Andy's Fishing Lake, near Hereford. He is sitting on the banks of the lake, in a wheelchair. He has a fishing rod and has just reeled in a fish. There is countryside around him, with farm buildings, and a car is parked nearby. — Richard Rudd enjoys fishing and laser clay shooting

A man living with multiple sclerosis (MS) who is preparing for a triathlon has said he tries to "keep a positive outlook and make the most of every opportunity."

Richard Rudd, from Hereford, was diagnosed with MS at the age of 21, when he was working as a machine driver in Birmingham, with dreams of becoming a builder.

He had always been "very hands on", his carers said, with hobbies including fishing, clay pigeon shooting, motorbikes and greyhound racing – but he still enjoys laser clay shooting and fishing.

Mr Rudd, 54, has written on his fundraising page how MS could make daily life unpredictable and physically challenging.

Hereford's MS triathlon hero

He now takes part in laser clay shooting because it is more accessible, and he goes fishing at Andy's Fishing Lake, near Hereford, with his carer – he said he liked the ambience there.

Richard Rudd Richard Rudd is seen next to a vintage car. The bonnet is open and the engine is visible. Mr Rudd is sitting turned away from the camera in his wheelchair, and he has his head turned to the person taking the picture and looking happy. The car is in a car park, and there is a hedge and a wall in the background. — The 54-year-old stays positive and seizes every opportunity

On Saturday, he will take part in the Superhero Series Triathlon at Dorney Lake in Windsor, an event designed for people of all abilities, including a swim stage, bike stage and a push or run stage.

The Superhero Series was founded by Paralympian Sophia Warner in 2016 so everyone could be active and take part in a large-scale sporting event.

The event has no cut-off times or equipment restrictions and people can team up with family and friends and do as much or as little as they wish.

Richard Rudd In a close-up photograph, Richard Rudd is seen leaning towards the camera and in his palm he has the fish he has just caught at the lake. He is wearing a grey T-shirt and tracksuit bottoms and a dark blue baseball cap with New York written on it in white. — Mr Rudd said he would do his best to make people proud

Mr Rudd is raising money for the Oxygen and Wellness Therapy Centre which he attends in Hereford.

It supports people living with long-term health conditions.

He will take part in the challenge with the help of carer Wendy Wait, her daughter Emma and Samantha Stacey from the centre, and has been training for a year to prepare.

Ms Wait said they had trained on gym equipment twice a week to prepare for the challenge, and Mr Rudd had been taking part in dance activities to keep fit.

Mr Rudd, who uses a wheelchair, said the dance sessions were "groovy" and kept him "out of trouble".

In his appeal for donations, he wrote: "Thank you for reading my story, and for cheering me on - every bit of encouragement helps. I'll do my very best to make you proud."

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