Paolucci family raise over £13,000 for Springhill Hospice

Date published: 15 May 2023

The Paolucci family have raised over £13,000 for Springhill Hospice with a series of fundraising efforts.

Giancarlo Paolucci – the nephew of Wardle, Shore and West Littleborough Councillor Rina Paolucci – his mum, Fiona, and other family members and friends opted to raise money for the hospice as it is close to the family’s heart, having recently lost a loved one there.

The hospice also cared for Giancarlo’s grandad over two decades ago, and it was with this in mind that Giancarlo also volunteered at Springhill’s Craven when he was younger.

The 25-year-old said: “The care they provide is simply incredible. The hospice staff are superhuman and we wanted to help them to be able to continue to provide for those in need.

“As a means of saying thanks for the care and support they gave to our loved ones and our family, I set me and mum the challenge of completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks.”

After months of training, 30 walkers, made up of the Paolucci family and friends, set out on 15 April to complete the 24-mile-long hike.

The Yorkshire Three Peaks is a challenging full day circular route of hill walking in the Yorkshire Dales, approximately 24 miles in length with an elevation gain of over 1,000m.

Starting and finishing in Horton-in Ribblesdale, climbers aim to scale the summits of Pen-y-Ghent (694m), Whernside (736m) and Ingleborough (723m).

Giancarlo continued: “We had 30 walkers on the day, plus a dog. The majority completed the challenge. My mum, at 55, completed two of the peaks, 17 miles and 3,600ft. I am so proud of her.”

A 'footy fest' charity event at the Flying Horse Hotel saw over 120 guests come together for an auction, tombola and watch the football. Unfortunately Giancarlo’s beloved Leeds United lost, but he and his mum managed to raise £2,500 that afternoon, an amazing result for the hospice.

“Ben Boothman and the Flying Horse team were immensely supportive; a massive shoutout to them,” Giancarlo added.

Other efforts included Giancarlo’s mum crocheting Italian rose brooches, putting up posters, an Easter fair at Hare Hill House, football cards – and Giancarlo even sprayed his hair green.

He said: “We had our own stall at Hare Hill House to promote our challenge, mum got talking to many people, some of which had links to the hospice.

“It’s amazing how suffering a great loss can bring you closer to friends, family or even strangers that have suffered too.”

He concluded: “The sense of achievement from the likes of the Yorkshire Three Peaks was incredible.

“The training and having something to aim for helped us all massively through the tough times.

“It’s an amazing feeling and I’d love for people to want to do it, especially for the hospice.”

Giancarlo and Fiona would also like to say a huge "grazie mille" (thank you very much) to everyone that supported them throughout their fundraiser, whether a hiker, a donor, or a friend in a time of need.

Springhill Hospice has been a lifeline to countless patients and their loved ones for the past 30 years, as thousands of people have found solace through the specialist free services, care and compassion they provide.

However, in the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, the hospice is currently facing a deficit of £1million and it needs your help more than ever to continue providing palliative care across the borough.

Last year, over 50 intrepid walkers laced up their boots for Springhill Hospice and tackled the Yorkshire Three Peaks, with the next challenge taking place this summer on 29 July.

For more information, please visit: www.springhill.org.uk/yorkshire-three-peaks to register