Latest news
- Fundraisers stage stunt on side of Coombe Hill in the Chilterns
- Hospice introduces new way to donate
- Chinnor resident rises to walking challenge
Click here to read all our news stories
Local woman steps out in memory of mother by joining Iain Rennie Hospice at Home’s Chilterns Three Peaks Challenge
Kate Clarke from Bulbourne, Tring has signed up for Iain Rennie Hospice at Home’s (IRHH) Chilterns Three Peaks Challenge on September 19 in memory of her mother, Mary O’Shaughnessy who died from breast cancer in September 2009. Mary was cared for by IRHH nurses which enabled her to stay at home during her final days. Kate is following in her husband Howard’s footsteps who took part last year and won a prize for raising over £750, the most sponsorship generated by any of the 1,000 people who signed up for the event. Kate hopes to raise as much this year: one day’s care by IRHH’s nurses costs £150 and so Kate could provide five days of care for people with life-limiting illnesses across the Chilterns.
Kate, who works for The Open University in Milton Keynes, explains why the IRHH charity is a cause close to her heart:
"Thanks to IRHH we were able to bring my Mum home from hospital to be with her family. The IRHH nurses were a brilliant support and came out at all hours of the day and night. We couldn’t have done any of it without them and they helped make my Mum’s final days as peaceful as we could have hoped for. I will be thanking IRHH with every step I take along the 18 mile route. I want to raise as much money as I can for IRHH so that others can continue to call on the fantastic support the charity offers to its patients and their families."
IRHH hopes that 2,000 sponsored walkers will take part in this year’s Chilterns Three Peaks Challenge by walking five, nine or 18 miles along the Chilterns Ridgeway. It will be the largest sponsored event in the Chilterns and the charity aims to beat last year’s achievement of raising £80,000 for local patients with life-limiting illnesses who wish to be cared for in their own homes. If every walker raises £150 in sponsorship - which in itself pays for one day’s specialist care - IRHH can fund one of its nursing teams around the clock for a whole year.
All walkers will complete the five-mile route from Princes Risborough to Wendover, taking in two peaks: Whiteleaf Cross and Coombe Hill. IRHH will be running a BBQ in Wendover so walkers can recharge their batteries and rest their feet. For the first time this year, walkers can then complete the entire 18 mile route by continuing on to the third peak at Ivinghoe Beacon. Local bus company Arriva will be providing 10 double-decker buses to give walkers free transport to Tring to complete the final peak or back to Princes Risborough to collect their cars.
Helen Mariner at Iain Rennie Hospice at Home said: "We’re very grateful for Kate’s support which will help us to keep supporting families across the Chilterns. Last year’s event was a sell out so we’re urging people to register now. It’s a great day out for the whole family, including dogs, to Walk the Chalk and raise money to help local people at the same time. If everyone can raise £150 in sponsorship we can collectively pay for a nursing team’s services for a year.'
Marshalls will accompany walkers and there are water stations and portaloos along the route. Entry costs £15 for adults and £7.50 for children, which includes a t-shirt, transport on the day, a fundraising pack and a medal. Walkers will also receive a Jordans Frusili bar as the company is one of the event’s sponsors.
The Chilterns Three Peaks Challenge is IRHH’s largest annual fundraising event: the charity needs £4.8 million each year to help the 1,000 patients and their families it supports and only 9 per cent of its funding comes from the Government.
2012 Sponsors
The team would like to thank all our valued supporters for the assistance and support:
