AMBLESIDE extreme athlete Chris Stirling is urgently looking for financial backers to help him take up an elite place in one of the world’s toughest triathlons.

Chris, 33, who works at the Climbers Shop in the town, has been invited to take part in the Norseman Xtreme in Norway this summer, a point to point race that starts by jumping off a ferry into a fjord and ends on a mountain summit.

But he has to raise funds to provide a back-up vehicle and crew for the race. He currently has a Talentbacker online fundraising campaign but he is short of £800 and unless the full target is reached, he won’t receive any of the pledges.

Chris was last year’s winner of the Wasdale triathlon, recognised as the world’s toughest at the half “iron man” distance. He finished second in the Celtman, the Scottish extreme triathlon, half an hour inside the previous course record.

Originally from Portishead, Bristol, Chris moved to the Lakes ten years ago to live and train in the mountains. He has a background in climbing, mountaineering and fell running, and decided to start racing in 2012, triathlon and fell running. He represented Northern Ireland in mountain running events in 2013 and again this year.

“I am very happy and honoured to make this list of international athletes," said Chris, who is training seven days a week, often two or three sessions a day, with the help of local runners, cyclists and swimmers. "Norseman was part of my original inspiration for taking up triathlon in 2012 so you could say this is a dream come true. It certainly feels that way.

"Friends and supporters have been really generous in their sponsorship and we need a final push now to reach the total I need for the back-up crew. If everyone interested in sport who lives in the Lakes committed just a small sum, we would hit the target.”

Donors can contribute online at www.talentbacker.com/talents/view/chris-stirling or donations can be left at the Climbers’ Shop.