With lockdown cancelling this year’s London Marathon, it was great to see lots of people refusing to let their training go to waste. Instead of heading up to the capital, Phyllis Tuckwell supporter John Applebee completed the marathon in his back garden, running approximately 2,200 laps around his lawn to make up the 26.2 miles and raising over £400 for the Hospice Care charity.
And it wasn’t just running challenges that these fantastic fundraisers took on. The launch of the 2.6 Challenge, to replace the marathon, inspired many people to get creative with their fundraising. Farnham resident Claire Gibbs and her extended family, aged between 5 and 93 years old, took on various challenges including 26 hours of silence, 2.6 hours of continuous juggling and 2.6 hours of bouncing on a trampoline! Between them they raised an amazing £474, all of which they donated to Phyllis Tuckwell. Locals Paul and Carol Bews, members of an active longstanding team who have for many years supported the London Marathon as baggage handlers in The Mall, also got involved, encouraging their friends and family to join them in taking on their own 2.6 challenge for Phyllis Tuckwell. So far they have raised an incredible £5,000, with money still coming in!
Throughout the pandemic, Phyllis Tuckwell will continue to provide supportive and end of life care for local patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, providing 24-hour front line care at the Hospice in Farnham and in patients’ own homes. However, as the NHS/Government only covers 20% of its costs, it has to raise over £20,000 a day to provide this care, and with its retail shops closed and many of its fundraising events cancelled, the support of the local community in raising this money is more important than ever.
If you’re interested in supporting Phyllis Tuckwell from home, email fundraising@pth.org.uk and the team will get in touch with lots of ideas to help you get started.
Caption Above: PTHC supporter John Applebee’s lawn after he completed a marathon in his back garden.
