Today is World Mosquito Day and Alex Carter from Salisbury is embarking on phase two of his ultra triathlon which will see him swim, cycle and run a distance of 1,296 miles in 25 days across the UK. Alex has named his challenge: ‘Victory Over Malaria’ and is hoping to raise more than £5,000 for our work to help save lives.

The 23 year old graduate has spent the last 18 months in training, with the final phase taking up to 25 hours a week in his quest to complete his challenge of a lifetime. Alex resolved to join the malaria fight after nearly losing his life to a deadly strain of the disease which he contracted while studying sports coaching in Ghana in 2008. On making a full recovery, Alex decided to use his experience to help stop others suffering as he did.

Alex says: “Catching malaria was the worst experience of my life. I had triple vision and almost fell unconscious getting to hospital, it was horrendous. I was fortunate to recover but tragically so many people don’t, I’ll never forget the little boy in the hospital bed next to me, who died. I want to use my second chance in life to help save children in Africa, especially Ghana where malaria remains a leading cause of death amongst young children.”

Alex launched his ultra triathlon with a big splash last week, swimming 21 miles in two days in Loughborough Olympic Swimming Pool. The next ten days will see Alex take to the road for a gruelling 11 day cycle ride covering 935 miles from John O’Groats to Lands End. On 27 August, Alex enters the final and most demanding leg of the challenge, running an ultra marathon of approximately 30 miles every day for two weeks. This 340 mile run from Lands End to Loughborough is expected to take 12 days concluding at his finishing line of Loughborough University on 8 September.

Alex’s story features in Mozzy Air – our latest awareness campaign featuring a fictitious airline which flies to over 100 countries affected by malaria. Mozzy Air invites people to share their story if they have been affected by malaria or know someone that has been. To help drive the campaign, British fashion brand and Malaria No More UK supporter Jack Wills have provided an incentive: those who share their story are entered into a draw to win a £50 Jack Wills voucher and Malaria No More bracelet.

Find out more:
Watch Alex talk about his story
Mozzy Air
Check in to #MozzyAir on Twitter
Share your malaria story