Sudbury Times reporter Charlie Chute has completed the world’s largest triathlon.

The energetic journalist took time out of the newsroom to join 8,000 others for the event in London, and completed a 1.5km swim in Royal Victoria Dock, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run in two hours and 37 minutes.

The event was Charlie’s first triathlon and he also raised £650 for the St Andrew’s Centenary Projects, which will go towards rebuilding dilapidated community buildings in Sudbury, and a new hospital in Mozambique.

The Sudbury Times is owned by Archant and so Charlie (pictured) is also hoping to double his fundraising total through the company’s match funding scheme.

Charlie, (25), said: “I wanted to raise money for a local cause, but also wanted to do something to help the world’s poorest people.

“When I came across the St Andrew’s Centenary Projects while researching a story last year, it seemed the perfect solution.

“The hardest part of the event was the run, probably because it was last and I just wanted to keep going by that stage.

“When I finished the bike ride, I had a bit of a problem finding a place to park the bike and finding my running shoes among 8,000 other pairs. I lost a bit of time there.”