Queen Alexandra Hospital doctors go the extra mile in hospice fundraiser

Helena Edwards and fellow registrar, Amanda Laird, who both live in Southsea, were due to take part in the annual 26 mile ‘Walk the Wight’ challenge on May 10 to raise crucial funds for the Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight.

The hospice depend on the walk to raise £250,000 to help with running costs. However, with the walk across the island having been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the dedicated doctors have been taking part in their own walking challenge to raise money.

Helena said: ‘Between April 27 and the end of May, we need to each cover 150 miles. We average around four and-a-half miles each day but depending on our shifts we will sometimes walk more. Since lockdown, myself and Amanda have been living together and so we will often walk around Southsea.

‘One some nights I have also been walking home from work.’

Helena was keen to stress how imperative the fundraiser is for the hospice.

‘Nearly 70 per cent of a hospice’s income is from charitable donations through events such as the Walk the Wight. To lose this money could have a massive impact as without it, the hospice would be unable to deliver the amazing care and support they provide to so many families,’ she said.

After having to cancel the event, the hospice have asked all those who had registered to come up with their own challenge to help raise money to fill the potential £250,000 void.

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Helena and Amanda, who have been joined in their challenge by Lisa Freeth, an NHS physiotherapist who works in Birmingham, set up a JustGiving page and had targeted raising £1,000.

Helena said: ‘We have already raised £1,100 and so it would be great to get to £2,000. I’m confident we will make the distance as I have already covered 67 miles.

The situation afflicting the hospice is replicated nationally with a predicted £4bn charity funding shortfall due to the cancellation of fundraising events as a result of the pandemic.

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