When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Home / News / Tri4Japan

Tri4Japan

In the wake of the recent disasters in Japan, Mike Trees, who has raced for both the Japanese and British elite triathlon teams, has started a charity to benefit the people of Kamaishi­

In the wake of the recent disasters in Japan, Mike Trees, who has raced for both the Japanese and British elite triathlon teams, has started a charity to benefit the people of Kamaishi­ – one of the port towns hit hardest by the tsunami.

We’ll hand you over to Mike, a man who has been in the tri industry for 25 years, to talk you through his project…


“I’m in the unusual position of having raced for both the Japanese and British Elite triathlon teams. I won the Kamaishi Triathlon five times between 1992 and 2004.



As I am bilingual and my wife and children are Japanese, I think I am in a unique position to help Japan and, in particular, the town of Kamaishi, where I still cannot get in touch with many of my friends.

Kamaishi has held an International Triathlon for the past 22 years. On Friday 11 March, when the tsunami hit, it was literally washed away.


It is no exaggeration to say that Japan is now gripped by its worst disaster since WWII. Earthquakes, tsunami and nuclear radioactivity fears.



I’m registering a charity, tri4Japan. Our website has our initial mission statement is on, please read it on www.tri4japan.com.



Our mission is…


To go to Japan in April (if safe to do) and outline a project to help. I want to film the visit, as the town is now, in disparate need for help.


Work with the local authorities on a project until competition, such as building a home for orphans of the tsunami


Ultimately, after the rebuilding, help to set up another international triathlon but bigger than before!



Fundraising methods

Make and sell Tri4Japan T-shirts

Franchise the logo to put on other event T-shirts

Organise, swim, bike run events

Add a donation button onto various websites

Corporate donations

Big Triathlon Ebay Auction

Profile image of Matt Baird Matt Baird Editor of Cycling Plus magazine

About

Matt is a regular contributor to 220 Triathlon, having joined the magazine in 2008. He’s raced everything from super-sprint to Ironman, duathlons and off-road triathlons, and can regularly be seen on the roads and trails around Bristol. Matt is the author of Triathlon! from Aurum Press and is now the editor of Cycling Plus magazine.