Participant of 2.6 Challenge helps to raise over £1,000 for Farleigh Hospice

On Sunday 26th of April runner and fundraiser Fiona Pratt ran 21 miles around her farm in Cold Norton, and a further 5 miles around her local village to help raise money and awareness for Farleigh Hospice through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fiona’s brilliant fundraising efforts were part of the 2.6 Challenge, which was a nationwide appeal to inspire people to take part in any challenge involving the numbers 2 and/or 6 in aid of charities affected by the pandemic. Fiona was due to run the London Marathon, but following the lockdown decided to take on the challenge much closer to home, setting up a Virgin Money Giving page so people could donate, with all proceeds going to Farleigh Hospice.

Her target of £262 was surpassed within days, and so far, Fiona has raised £1,258.25 for the hospice, with donations coming from friends, family, and other generous supporters.

After completing her marathon, Fiona said “I was supposed to be running the London Marathon on 26th of April to raise funds for Farleigh Hospice, but with the lockdown cancelling the event and after much deliberation, I decided to still run the 26 miles and see if I could boost funds. I didn’t expect my target to be surpassed so easily, and I’m very thankful to everybody who donated because Farleigh Hospice is very special to me. They cared for my dad after his kidney cancer diagnosis, providing hospice at home care, and taking him into their I.P.U. during his final days. The care and support they gave to us all as a family was outstanding. I will always do my best to support them as they supported us.”

Alison Stevens, Chief Executive of Farleigh Hospice said: “Sunday 26th of April was due to be the London Marathon which is one of our biggest annual fundraising events. It has been rescheduled for the 4th of October but without that income, we are now facing an initial shortfall of nearly £100,000. This is at a time where the need for our services has increased and Farleigh is working on the front line, caring for people with life-limiting illnesses and supporting the NHS. That’s why we’re very thankful to Fiona, everyone who donated towards her marathon and anybody who took part in the 2.6 Challenge in aid of Farleigh.”

For more information on the 2.6 Challenge and how to become a Farleigh Hospice home hero simply visit: http://www.farleighhospice.org/virtual-fundraising