Seven teams are embarking on an unforgettable challenge across Europe while raising vital funds for local hospice care.
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice, are launching their first-ever Race Across Europe challenge, an exciting new fundraising challenge.
The challenge will see seven teams of two travel across Europe without knowing where they are headed next, similar to BBC’s Race Across the World.
Participants have been fundraising for months in preparation for the challenge, to provide hospice care for adults with life-limiting conditions and children and young adults who are seriously ill.
Jane Sedgwick, Travel Counsellor, is a long-time hospice supporter and donor, who has spent the last year kindly giving her time and expertise to plan destinations, coordinate logistics, and prepare for the Race Across Europe challenge.
Jane will also be out on the route to support the teams.
Jane Sedgwick said, “I’ve supported the Hospice for a couple of years now, but Eleanor got in touch a year ago and asked if I would be happy to help organise this, and I just thought, this is a good challenge to get into.
“I’ve spent time working out routes and getting the logistics in place.
“We don’t have the luxury of doing the whole 6-week thing that the TV version does.
“Ours is a much stripped-back version, but I’ve been planning the route so that it’s safe for the participants and ensuring they’ve got the backup in place if need.
“Let’s hope that this brings in an awful lot more for the hospice because it’s such a great thing to have in our local area.”
Teams set off on Monday, October 5, at 8.30am, where the first destination was revealed.
Along the way, teams will have to navigate timetables, manage a budget, and race to the checkpoint, without using their phones or taking any flights.
Throughout the week, supporters will be able to follow every twist and turn of the journey via the hospice’s social media channels (Facebook and Instagram), with regular updates, photos and stories from the teams as they make their way across Europe.
Many of the participants have a personal connection to the hospice or are taking on the challenge in memory of a loved one, while others are simply inspired by the care and support the hospice has provided to the local community.
Each team has been finding innovative ways to ensure hospice care can continue to be there for future generations.
Eleanor Viney, Head of Income Generation at the hospice, said: “Race Across Europe is unlike any fundraiser we’ve done before.
“It’s an incredible opportunity for people to take on a unique challenge while making a tangible difference to local families.
“Every pound raised will fund hospice care that offers dignity, comfort and support when it matters most.
“Thank you to the participants for their amazing fundraising achievements so far, Jane Sedgewick for her expert guidance and support, and to everyone who has donated and supported the teams.
“We are so grateful, and we can’t wait to see how things unfold.”
If you would like to support the teams taking part, please find their JustGiving pages below:
