Firefighter's epic challenge

An Ayrshire firefighter is preparing to take on one of the world’s toughest endurance events to raise vital funds for young carers supported by The Honeypot Children’s Charity in Scotland.

Malcolm Miller, 48, who serves as a Crew Commander at Kilwinning Fire Station with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and as a Retained Fire Fighter with Ardrossan Fire Station, will compete in the Geordieman Full Distance Triathlon on 23 August 2026.

The event will see Malcolm complete a gruelling 140.6-mile challenge consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile cycle and full 26.2-mile marathon.

Malcolm hopes to raise £5,000 for Honeypot Dalleagles, the charity’s Scottish house based in New Cumnock, East Ayrshire. The funds raised could help provide a full weekend break for young carers and children aged 5 to 12 facing difficult circumstances.

Now in week 13 of an intense 32-week training programme, Malcolm is training six days a week with a demanding schedule of swimming, cycling and running sessions.

Malcolm Miller said:

“I’ve completed a half distance triathlon before, but I wanted to push myself further and complete the full distance as a personal achievement. After meeting the team and learning more about Honeypot, supporting the charity was really a no-brainer. Young carers can so often go unnoticed and out of sight, missing out on the day-to-day experiences children should have for their development and wellbeing. This challenge is also personal to me because my wife Mary was a young carer herself.”

Mary grew up caring for family members from a young age, taking on responsibilities far beyond her years without ever recognising herself as a young carer at the time.

Mary Miller said:

“Looking back now, I understand why I was often exhausted, worried and struggling to keep up. I had grown up too quickly, like so many young carers do. When I heard about Honeypot and the support they provide, it felt like they were telling my story. It was incredibly emotional because, for the first time, I truly saw my younger self in those words. Malcolm saw how much it affected me and decided he wanted to do something to help other children living similar lives. What he is doing means everything to me.”

Honeypot Dalleagles provides residential Respite and Health and Wellbeing Breaks and offers wraparound support for young carers and children aged 5-12 facing difficult circumstances from across Scotland, helping them build confidence, create happy memories and enjoy the chance to simply be children.

Simmi Woodwal, CEO of The Honeypot Children’s Charity, said:

“We are incredibly grateful to Malcolm for taking on such an extraordinary challenge in support of Honeypot Dalleagles and the children we support across Scotland.

Mary’s story is a powerful reminder that many young carers quietly take on huge responsibilities from a very early age, often without recognising the impact it has on their own childhood and wellbeing.

"At Honeypot, we believe every child deserves the chance to feel safe, supported and free to simply be a child. The funds Malcolm raises will help us continue providing respite breaks, wellbeing support and happy childhood memories for young carers and children facing difficult circumstances. We will all be cheering Malcolm on every step of the way.”

To give your support visit Malcolm’s fundraising page >

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