Australia’s sole female para-triathlete in Birmingham, Erica Burleigh (triathlon) finished 6th in the women’s PTVI event alongside guide Felicity Craddick. It was her first event wearing green and gold at the age of 39, just four months after her first triathlon. Burleigh was struck down by meningococcal B when she was 17, leaving her legally blind, but classified as less-severe partially sighted (PTVI3). She says she was driven by the feats of fellow Tasmanian and Olympic gold medallist Ariarne Titmus who inspired her to add swimming to her cycling and running skills. The efforts of her mentor – vision impaired Paralympic gold medallist Katie Kelly – were another inspiration. Burleigh has always been active, including boxing and weightlifting in the gym, but decided to take the triathlon challenge in 2021. She caught the bug after her first race in January 2022 and a second placing in her first major event in Devonport a month later brought it home. Erica is part of a national portrait series by renowned photographer Anne Geddes called ‘I Won’t Give Up’, highlighting the strength and resilience of seven Australians impacted by meningococcal disease.