Former Redruth resident Chris Lowry has handed over £1,075 to ROC, a charity which supports local people with learning disabilities, including his own sister, Katy.

The money has been used to buy brand new disco and sound equipment for the members of ROC Welcome, the charity’s vibrant social club, based in Truro.

Chris, aged 28, now works in the City of London and raised the money by taking part in the gruelling Olympic standard Windsor Triathlon in July. The event involved a 1,500m swim in the Thames, a 42K bike ride and a 10K run. This was all the more challenging given that when Chris began his training he was 3.5 stone over weight.

He said: "Having a rather sedentary lifestyle, it was brought to my attention that I was carrying excess weight. I decided to do something about it and in such a way that I could raise crucial funds for ROC - a charity that my sister Katy and many of her friends use each week. Through ROC Welcome, the charity provide a safe and fun environment for people with learning disabilities to have the fantastic social life that many of us take for granted.

"Katy is now 30 years old, she is a wheelchair user, and she lives in Redruth with my mum and step dad, her full time carers. Katy has been my best friend throughout my life and I really wanted to be able to give her something she would enjoy. Having spoken to ROC, this meant new disco equipment because Katie is a disco fiend – she’s the first person on the dancefloor and the last one off."

ROC Welcome’s manager Sharon McGibbon, said: "It’s truly humbling to hear about the extraordinary lengths to which Chris has gone to improve the life experience of Katy and her music loving friends. Katy dearly loves her Wednesday night discos where she can socialise with her friends, sing, smile and, of course, dance. However, our existing equipment was almost as old as some of the 60s rock and roll Katie so loves.

"ROC Welcome is entirely dependent on charitable donations and yet it’s probably the largest social club of its type in the county with 150 members. So I’m most grateful to Chris and his generous friends, family and colleagues who have made this significant improvement possible to keep Katy and our other club members dancing the night away."

Chris added: "The Windsor Triathlon nearly killed me. However, this is about a lifestyle change with a charitable focus. Next up? I’m considering a four month training programme to take part in a white collar boxing match – three, two minute rounds."