Splash Community Projects Team Embarks on Gruelling Triathlon for Armed Forces Charity
Four dedicated members of the Splash Community Projects team are officially swapping their toolkits for trekking poles as they prepare to take on the demanding Samworth Brothers Challenge. This elite squad is set to push their physical and mental limits in a high-stakes adventure designed to test even the most seasoned athletes, all in aid of SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity. It is a bold move that highlights the team's unwavering 'can-do' spirit, shifting their focus from local community improvements to a rigorous national stage.
Event Details and Team Background
The action is scheduled to unfold on May 9, 2026, in the scenic yet gruelling landscape of Castleton in the Peak District. The quartet will face a daunting triathlon of endurance, comprising three major sections: mountain running, kayaking, and cycling, each lasting approximately three hours. This will result in a full day of perseverance and teamwork, totalling upwards of nine hours of intense activity.
The team consists of former veterans with extensive military experience: Lloyd Comer, an ex-commando sapper and military diver; Kenny Turk, a parachute engineer; Steve Hall, a Royal Engineer; and Josh Poole, another parachute engineer and military diver, who is the son of Splash Projects co-founder Simon Poole, serving as sponsor and team driver. Collectively, they boast 90 years of service in the Army, making them no strangers to dedication and hard work.
Fundraising Goals and Charity Connection
Based in Exmouth, Devon, Splash Community Projects is a business dedicated to developing teams and individuals through community projects worldwide. The team aims to raise £2,500 for the South West region of SSAFA. Lloyd, aged 64 and the dedicated team lead, explained, "All of the team have a deep association with the Armed Forces, and as the longest-running tri-service charity, SSAFA felt like the right choice to be our chosen charity."
SSAFA has supported the Armed Forces community for over 140 years, offering practical, emotional, and financial assistance to serving personnel, veterans, and their families across the three arms of the UK Armed Forces. Lloyd added, "The team's training is well underway, with each member working on increasing personal fitness levels through multi-terrain cycling, running, and navigation, both in the gym and in local areas."
Training and Team Dynamics
Given that the team is spread across different countries—Steve Hall lives in France, and Kenny Turk resides in Spain—they will rely on their military experience to come together effectively on the day of the challenge. Lloyd emphasised, "When fatigue hits and those hills get steeper, we'll remember the sacrifices of those who are serving, have served, and will serve. The grit and determination needed to cross that finish line as a team will be great, but the reward and satisfaction of finishing will be greater."
Splash Community Projects has a strong connection to SSAFA and the Armed Forces, with more than 40 facilitators who are ex-military. In 2025, in partnership with the Devon branch of SSAFA, they collaborated on a project at the Gordon Messenger Centre to build a tranquil retreat in Lympstone in memory of dedicated SSAFA caseworker June Best. This joint venture, designed and built by veterans, involved over £350,000 in donated materials and time, with an additional £25,000 in materials added during a second build phase. More than six months later, the garden has become a safe haven for the local veteran community.
To support Splash Community Projects in beating their fundraising target of £2,500, contributions can be made through their designated online platform. Further information about SSAFA and their initiatives is available on their official website.
