Trinity Hospice dream team extend sporty charity event after smashing 3,500 mile goal

The Trinity Hospice 'dream team' have vowed to go the extra mile after smashing their original goal to walk, run and cycle 3,500 miles for the charity's 35th birthday.
Finance director Helena Lavin on horse Ruby to clock up some kilometres for the dream team challenge.Finance director Helena Lavin on horse Ruby to clock up some kilometres for the dream team challenge.
Finance director Helena Lavin on horse Ruby to clock up some kilometres for the dream team challenge.

Nurses, carers, and other workers at the Bispham hospice signed up for the month-long challenge, and racked up a total of more than 2,000 miles in the first week alone.

Now their goal is to reach a total of 12,775km - one kilometre for every day the hospice has been open since 1985.

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With one week to go, the dream team has completed 10,362km through running, walking, cycling, swimming, mountain climbing, horse riding and more.

Fundraising assistant Antonia HawkinsFundraising assistant Antonia Hawkins
Fundraising assistant Antonia Hawkins

Healthcare assistant Edyta Whitcombe said: “We are so impressed with how many members of staff and the people around them who have taken on this challenge.

“We were only about a week in when we realised that 3,500 target would definitely be met so we decided to increase it. We’ve got staff, volunteers and trustees, as well as the people who surround them, taking part in whatever way they can – we have lots of dog walking going on, and even some horse-riding.

“Our fundraising department has a bike set up in the office for staff who want to come in early to clock some miles or cycle during their lunch break. And a member of staff completed their first ever half marathon! We are so impressed at the lengths our staff are going to.”

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The challenge was set as the hospice counts the costs of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has already hit a £1.5m loss in income after cancelled fundraising events and a drop in community and corporate support.

Trinity staff and volunteers complete the Virtual Neon Memory WalkTrinity staff and volunteers complete the Virtual Neon Memory Walk
Trinity staff and volunteers complete the Virtual Neon Memory Walk

Edyta added: “The challenge was all about helping our staff to keep active following lockdown, but just as importantly it’s about raising money which we so desperately need.

“We’ve got one week left, and it looks like we’re on track to hitting our new target. But we really need people to support us through sponsorship to help us to do everything we can to support our amazing charity.”

Head of fundraising, Linzi Warburton, said: “It really feels like everyone at Trinity has taken on this challenge to help during this really difficult time, and we’re so grateful to them and their loved ones who are pulling out all the stops to make sure we reach our target.

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“We had so many plans to celebrate this very special year, marking 35 years of hospice care here on the Fylde coast, but we’ve sadly had to make some very hard decisions because of the pandemic.

“We have all been affected by Covid-19, but seeing everyone pulling together like this really has raised spirits, as well as much-needed funds.”

The challenge runs until September 30. You can sponsor those taking part at www.justgiving.com/trinityhospicedreamteam.

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