HIS muscles are pumped and his adrenaline is already running.

Graham Moates is made of sturdy stuff and is ready for an action-packed challenge.

A two-mile swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride before embarking on a gruelling marathon under the sun in Lanzarote is what faces him in the Ironman Challenge.

Graham is an action hero with a difference.

When he's not pumping iron at the gym or pounding the pavements, the 36-year-old takes time out and works for the Samaritans.

And that's after his unusual day job of mapping the world beneath the seas and oceans.

This is the toughest challenge Graham, of Brynards Hill, Wootton Bassett, has ever attempted.

The Swindon Triathlon Club member is preparing for the competition which takes place in the Canary Islands on May 20.

"I have no doubts about the event. I am going to succeed, but it is going to be tough," he said.

"I have been training up for months and building my fitness, swimming regularly, and doing a number of lengthy cycle rides but I know it is going to be both mentally and physically demanding."

He will be competing with around 1,000 others. They will hit the sea for a two-mile swim in whatever the conditions might throw at them.

Then they will then jump in the saddle and cycle 112 miles around the mountainous island.

Those who are left standing, will then run a marathon ending in the town of Puerto del Carmen.

Throughout the challenge he will be wearing his Samaritans T-shirt to raise awareness of the organisation.

"I have been doing my five nights a month at the Samaritans for the past six months and it is fascinating work," he said.

"I took it on because I wanted to give something back and you find yourself talking to people who are in a variety of often terrible situations.

"You are touched by everyone you listen to. You wouldn't be human if you weren't."

When he is not training or giving advice he runs his own undersea survey firm based in Devizes, consulting for organisations and govern- ments laying undersea cables and pipelines.

Organisations will also approach him about underwater environmental surveys or look- ing for sunken ships or crashed helicopters.

In 2005, he raised £7,000 for Cancer Research after his mother Shirley, pictured above left, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has now been given the all-clear.

He ran another ironman challenge, which saw him cycle from Lands End to John O'Groats, swim three miles, before running a marathon from John'O Groats to Thurso.

The cries for help...

Graham is one of 90 Samaritans who volunteer in the Swindon office.

Volunteer Samaritans listen in total confidence, accept without judgement and offer support for as long as it's needed.

Last year they received almost 30,000 calls. Of these 80 per cent expressed distress and suicidal thoughts.

The number of calls continues to grow each year, so the charity is determined to find more volunteers willing to give their time to what can be a life-saving service.

Samaritans are trained and they need to be able to spare around four to five hours of their time each week and one overnight session every five to six weeks.

If you are interested call the Swindon and District Samaritans on 01793 512490 or write to The Director, Swindon and District Samaritans, 6 Curtis Street, Swindon SN1 5JU.