Running, cycling and doing laps of a garden on SPACE HOPPERS: All to help Northumberland hospice

HospiceCare, like so many charities across the UK, has been hugely impacted by the cancellation of fund-raising events and the closure of its charity shops due to Covid-19.

In response, organisers of mass participation sports events across the country came together to create The 2.6 Challenge, launched when the London Marathon was due to have been held, to raise vital funds.

HospiceCare had more than 20 participants walking 2.6 miles, others walking 26.2 miles, some running 26 laps of their garden and families running 26 miles between them.

Trustee Simon Hulme and his wife Joanne, completed 26 laps of their garden on space hoppers and chairman Lucy Carroll, together with her husband Anthony, cycled 26 miles.

Junior participant Tess ran 26 miles over five days and Jack cycled 16km and ran 10km, while hospice finance manager Bryony Stimpson walked 26 miles and raised an incredible £1,888.

Emma Arthur, HospiceCare event and community fund-raiser – who also took part as Hospice Ted, completing 6.2 laps, conga-style, in her garden – said: “Thank you all so much to everyone who took part, together you have raised a whopping £7,300 towards our Coronavirus Appeal to allow us to continue to provide our services.

“The money raised will contribute towards 292 hours of our specialist Hospice at Home and family support services.”

The Druridge Bay 10k and Junior Run should have been held earlier this month but was postponed until next year.

The charity has now created some virtual challenges in the hope of raising more funds.

Emma said: “To continue with our fund-raising now that we have a little more freedom to be outside, we have created some virtual challenges which you can enter and do in your own time. Just pick a challenge, raise some sponsorship and earn an ‘I did it for HospiceCare’ Medal.

“Any of the challenges can be walked, ran, hopped, skipped or jumped, on your own, with your dog, family or even on your bicycle, all we ask is that you please stick to government guidelines about social distancing.”

To sign up or for more information visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hospicecarenorthnorthumberland/372534

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