Staff and members at Empire Gym in Market Deeping raise £20,000 for Sue Ryder's Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough
Staff and members of Empire Gym in Market Deeping have pushed themselves to the limit in a series of fitness challenges – and have raised an incredible £20,765 for a hospice.
Over the past two years, the team has thrown themselves into fundraising for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice. They have taken on fitness feats such as rowing a marathon, doing a dancing clubathon and conquering a 1,000 burpee challenge.
Empire Gym’s members have also done circuit training in fancy dress and completed seven fitness classes in seven hours. Two members, Theresa Gillett and Natalie Richardson, have also held coffee and cake days to raise significant funds.
The Deepings-based gym, which is run by the Weston family, has so far raised £20,765 for the hospice – and plans to continue raising funds with a new target of £30,000 in their sights.
Based in Peterborough, Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice provides palliative care for people who are living with life-limiting conditions, as well as supporting their families.
Matt Weston, from Empire Gym, said: “We decided to start supporting Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice two years ago. My dad and I went to visit the hospice and as we walked round it captured us completely. It moves me every time I go there; the staff and volunteers are remarkable and really show you what is possible. Thorpe Hall holds a special place in Peterborough’s history and touches almost everyone at some time or another.
“Here at Empire Gym we like to foster community spirit and everyone has really thrown themselves into fundraising. I’d like to say thank you to all those involved – from taking part in challenges to donating to the collection pot on our counter. A special thank you to the two members Theresa and Natalie who were the driving force behind the fundraising coffee and cake days.”
Joely Garner, interim head of hospice fundraising at Thorpe Hall said: “The funds raised could fund a hospice nurse for three months, buy two pressure relieving mattresses costing £2,350 each, run our family support team for 17 days, pay for a nurse’s uniform and pay for a patient’s meals for 15 days.
“Each year, we have to fundraise £2.4m to continue to provide our care.”
Click here for details of another event that helped Thorpe Hall
