Hospice launches virtual event to challenge local community and raise vital funds

Sofa to Summit Challenge

This August, Springhill Hospice is launching a virtual event to get supporters to take on their very own challenge to help fundraise for the local charity.

The Sofa to Summit Challenge has been set up by the hospice in light of the recent pandemic which has had a huge impact on the usual annual events organised by the hospice. Most of which have had to be cancelled meaning there has been a financial impact on the charity.

Sofa to Summit is a virtual event that invites supporters to take on their own challenge, in their own way, to raise money for the hospice. This can be anything from swimming 100 lengths at the local pool to walking the length of your favourite mountain trek on the streets of Rochdale or from your back garden. The challenge allows you to choose the activity to suit you, all while raising money for the much loved local hspice.

Maria Dilkes, a key worker and teacher employed in a local primary school was the first person to sign up to the Sofa to Summit challenge. Maria’s grandmother, Brenda O’Rourke, passed away in June and was cared for at home by the Springhill Hospice Community Nursing team.

Maria has challenged herself to take on a sponsored walk for the hospice to raise money. She said: “I am walking 200km in six weeks for Springhill Hospice’s Sofa to Summit challenge. It’s a huge personal and physical challenge for an amazing hospice that went above and beyond to care for my Nan at the end of her life.

“Even though this year has been very different, I’m really glad that Springhill Hospice have a challenge like this so that people can still show their support, take on their own challenge at their own pace and fundraise for such a special place.”

Barbara Lloyd, Community Support Fundraiser at Springhill Hospice said: “The Sofa to Summit virtual challenge is a great way to push and challenge yourself whilst staying safe and following Government guidance. It can provide a welcome change to the daily routine and a chance to ‘move more’ after all these weeks in lockdown.

“With the number of events cancelled this year due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, it also offers a fun and innovative way to help raise vital funds for the hospice that everyone of all ages can enjoy. It would be lovely to have as many people as possible taking part.”

If you would like to take part in the challenge and help raise vital funds for the hospice to continue giving care to its patients and their families, email fundraising@springhill.org.uk, call 01706 641790 or visit: 

• springhill.org.uk/sofa-to-summit