Intrepid teams of Worcestershire workers and friends pulled out all the stops in the St Richard’s Hospice Paddle, Plod and Pedal Challenge last weekend and so far have raised over £15,000 towards hospice care.
Nine teams took part in the 12 hour endurance challenge that saw them follow a 45 mile circular route through the beautiful Worcestershire and Gloucestershire countryside. The teams paddled in bell boats along the River Avon from Pershore to Tewkesbury before walking from Tewkesbury to Kempsey. The teams then took to the saddle to pedal the remainder of the route back to Pershore, where they were rewarded with a well-earned medal, refreshments and a great sense of achievement.
Among those taking part were a team from Northwick Manor School, who have already raised over £2,200 for St Richard’s Hospice. The ten colleagues from the school, ‘Team Northwick’, included Emma Bell, Alison Davies, Philip Hampton, Rhiann Peever, Emily Garbett, Victoria Briand, James Radburn, Nina Adams, Alison Webb and Jacquelyn Tombs.
Emma Bell, from Northwick Manor School, said; “As a team at work we are pretty splendid so we thought we would turn our hands to doing good things elsewhere and decided to take part in the St Richard’s Paddle, Plod and Pedal challenge. St Richard’s do a wonderful job and are a very worthy cause for us to support. With varying fitness levels and abilities at the beginning of this adventure we knew that we would need to use everyone’s individual strengths and support to see us through and we were so proud of our achievements on the day. We would like to thank everyone who supported us and who have donated so generously.”
The other teams who competed on the day were Coast Busters from Sanctuary Housing, Karndean Floorless from Karndean Design Flooring, Scimitar Sports, WTF Where’s The Finish, PPPGirlPlusBloke and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust teams Sky Warriors, Drib Drabs and Team Insanity.
Jodi Brandwood, Community Fundraiser at St Richard’s Hospice, said; “The Paddle, Plod and Pedal is no easy feat but it’s a great team builder. This year, we were lucky enough to have good weather and everyone had great fun. For a few participants, this was the first time they had ever taken part in anything like this and to finish with beaming smiles in the very welcome sunshine was fantastic to see! We are very grateful to all the teams, who have raised an amazing amount to help the hospice continue to offer compassionate care to those at the end of their lives.”