MyBnk are fortunate to have many supporters who have taken on various challenges over the years. We’ve had the pleasure of cheering on runners in 10k events to full marathons, cyclists riding 100+ miles in pursuit of financial education, while others have climbed mountains to help our cause.
Today, we want to give a special shout out to one of our top ambassadors, Darren Collins, who will be taking part in Ironman Copenhagen in August 2025.
What is Ironman? The Ironman is a long-distance triathlon and the ultimate endurance test for participants. The challenge begins with a 3.8 km swim, followed by a 180 km cycle, and concludes with a 42.2 km (marathon!) run to the finish line. Successfully completing this race requires months of dedicated training and mental preparation.
Meet Darren Collins. Darren is a proud supporter of MyBnk, consistently raising awareness of the importance of financial education. As a former professional youth footballer, Darren trained as a PE teacher and football coach before pivoting to teach secondary-school business and finance studies. His passion for financial freedom led him to qualify as an Independent Financial & Mortgage Advisor and fuelled his determination to break down barriers to ‘complicated’ money topics. He’s now exploring new challenges teaching full-time in Egypt where his Ironman training began.
We caught up with him recently to find out all about his drive to fundraise for a cause close to his heart. From Cairo to Copenhagen, read on to find out more about why this challenge is so important to him and how he is preparing for the greatest physical test of his life…
Connection to MyBnk & Fundraising
Hi Darren. When did you first hear about MyBnk’s work?
My relationship with MyBnk started in early 2022. I was looking for a financial education charity that truly aligned with my values, one that could help push the message of better financial education in the UK. This cause is personal to me, as I felt a lack of financial education affected my confidence as a teenager and into early adulthood.
I believe that better financial education delivered in a relevant and engaging way can not only help young people become more independent but also create a stronger, more financially capable UK.
What inspired you to take on this challenge for MyBnk?
In 2022, I signed up for my first full Ironman in Cork, Ireland but five months into training, I made a costly mistake playing in a staff vs. student football match. A 50/50 challenge ended badly for me, resulting in a dislocated right knee. With a 12+ week recovery, I had to withdraw.
Not wanting to let down those who had already donated, I restarted training after watching my cousin complete Ironman Copenhagen 2022. Unsure if my knee would hold up, I opted for a Half Ironman in Cork in 2023. That journey reignited my partnership with MyBnk, and we raised £1,500 for financial education in the UK!
Fast forward to 2025, and I’m determined to finally complete my full Ironman, a promise I made to my cousin back in 2017. The problem is he’s now done three, and I still haven’t done one! This time, the priority is getting to the start line healthy, because I know if I do that, I’ll give myself the best chance of crossing the finish line in Copenhagen on August 17th, 2025.
How does knowing you’re supporting young people through MyBnk motivate you during training?
Training for an Ironman is tough but every time I push through another session, I remind myself why I’m doing this. Financial education is life changing. The work MyBnk does in schools, youth clubs, and even prisons ensures that young people, regardless of background, have access to critical financial skills that many of us never had growing up.
What message would you like to share with those donating to your challenge?
Your support means everything not just to me, but to the thousands of young people who benefit from MyBnk’s programmes. Whether you donate, share my journey, or just follow along, you’re helping raise awareness and supporting something that truly makes a difference.
Training & Preparation
What has been the toughest part of your training so far?
Balancing full-time teaching with Ironman training is no joke. My schedule means training happens late at night during the week, while weekends are for long swims and runs. Right now, I’ve built my running up to 13 miles, and my focus is maintaining that as a base before increasing training volume between now and April, and then again from April to July.
The biggest challenge is training in Cairo, where I currently live. The roads here aren’t safe for running or cycling, so until late June, all my training will be indoors: treadmill running, stationary bike sessions, and swimming in an Olympic pool. However, when I return to the UK in late June, I’ll finally be able to train outside properly, cycling on real roads and swimming in open water to fully prepare for race day!
How do you stay motivated on the hardest training days?
Motivation isn’t always there but discipline is what keeps me going. Some days, I remind myself why I’m doing this. Other days, it’s about breaking the session down into small steps and just getting started. And when all else fails, a good playlist and the promise of a post-training meal definitely helps!
How do you balance training with everything else in life?
It’s a constant juggling act. Between teaching, training, and life in general, I have to be structured with my time. That’s why consistency is key, even if I’m exhausted, I make sure to show up and do something.
Have you had to make any major lifestyle changes for this?
Absolutely. Training takes over a lot of my free time, and social plans have to fit around long runs, swims, and bike sessions. Sleep and nutrition have also become more of a priority, as recovery is just as important as the workouts themselves.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself through this journey (so far)?
Resilience. Training for an Ironman isn’t just about physical endurance it’s about the mental strength to keep going, even when things don’t go to plan. Injuries, setbacks, and bad training days happen, but the key is to adapt and keep moving forward.
Race Day & Goals
What part of the Ironman are you most excited for? And most nervous about?
Excited: The finish line because that’s when everything will feel worth it!
Nervous: The marathon. If my calves or knee flare up, it could be a very long 42.2km. But at the end of the day, if I have to walk the marathon, then so be it. I’ll do whatever it takes to cross that line.
Do you have a target time?
The main goal is simply to finish the whole Ironman, but ideally, I’d love to complete it in around 12 hours.
What will crossing the finish line mean to you?
It will mean everything. This journey started years ago, and after setbacks and challenges, getting across that finish line will be proof that the sacrifices, effort, and support from others have all been worth it.
More importantly, it’s about the bigger purpose raising awareness for financial education and supporting MyBnk’s mission to bring the language of finance to life so that everyone can navigate their money with confidence, no matter where they start.
Sponsor Darren
Darren takes on Ironman Copenhagen on August 17th, 2025. Everyone at MyBnk wishes him the very best of luck and would like to thank him for his outstanding dedication and commitment to our cause.
Please show your support for Darren in this incredible challenge:
- Sponsor Darren by donating to his Enthuse page. Every little helps so please share Darren’s story and the donation page with your networks, families, and friends.
- Follow MyBnk on social media to keep up with Darren’s training journey. We’ll be posting training updates and fundraising milestones in the coming months.
- Head to our Instagram page and check out the highlight ‘Ironman Darren’ to see his training journey so far, including completing his first official training event on the road to Ironman: the Cairo Half Marathon.
Read more about Darren’s teaching background
If you’re feeling inspired to take on your own fundraising challenge, take a look at our upcoming events! With running, cycling, hiking, and even skydiving to choose from, you’ll be sure to find a unique opportunity to push yourself while raising money for our life-changing work.
