Trinity Hospice 'dream team' to run, row and cycle 3,500 miles to raise funds

Around 30 staff members have signed up to a ‘dream team’ challenge in which they will run, walk, row and cycle a total of 3,500 miles throughout September.

They hope to bring in some much-needed funds, as the hospice is facing a £1.5m loss this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw major events cancelled and charity shops shut down.

Healthcare assistant Edyta Whitcombe said: “This year has changed our lives in so many ways. Here on the in-patient unit we decided to gather as many colleagues together as possible in one big challenge, raising money to enable us to carry on providing excellence in palliative care. We may be socially distanced during the challenge, but we are together in our hearts and minds. We can’t wait to get started.”

Linzi Warburton, hospice head of fundraising, said: “Our plans for a special 35th birthday year have been derailed by Covid-19, but staff wanted to do something to help, especially as we are facing a £1.5m shortfall in funding because of the impact of the pandemic.

“It’s fair to say that every staff member has faced both professional and personal challenges over recent months, but this joint effort organised by our nurses should provide a bit of light relief and raise some much-needed funds.”

The challenge starts on September 1 and those taking part will be posting their weekly totals onto Trinity Hospice's Facebook page. You can sponsor the dream team by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/trinityhospicedreamteam.