A LEADING tourist destination played host to a sporting legend who took part in a charity event this morning.


Sir Steve Redgrave. HARRY ATKINSON Sir Steve Redgrave visited Windermere today to mark the 15th anniversary of the Sydney Olympics and to raise money for charity.

The rowing champion took on the challenge as part of his role as ambassador for property and construction consultancy, Gleeds, who are celebrating 130 years in business.

Teams from Gleeds' Whitehaven and Warrington offices joined forces to take part in a charity triathlon around Lake Windermere.

The 70 fundraisers, who are usually desk-bound, were pushed to the limit as they took on the challenge to run, cycle, swim or canoe around Windermere to raise £130,000 for Cancer Research UK and the local mountain rescue.

As ambassador for the company, the five-time Olympic champion took part in the challenge, canoeing around half the lake and completing the rest on dry land.

Sir Steve Redgrave explained the style of canoeing is very different to his Olympic skills but relished the experience of getting out on a boat on Windermere.

He said: "It's a very different way of doing it but it's a lot of fun and something I've always wanted to do and I've done it on Windermere.

"The scenery is just stunning - I'm looking at a long, very narrow lake with rolling green hills - it's amazing."