Matt Smith

Matt's Devon to Dorset 24 Hour Challenge

Fundraising for Weldmar Hospicecare
£11,762
raised of £10,000 target
Donations cannot currently be made to this page
Matt's Devon to Dorset 24 Hour Challenge, 5 September 2020
Weldmar Hospicecare

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1000414
We provide end of life care to help our patients across Dorset

Story

Weldmar Hospicecare is an amazing charity that is so vital for the people of Dorset. Although professionally it is a charity very close to my heart, personally it is too. 

On 27th June 2020, my auntie Caroline sadly passed away at Weldmar's Inpatient Unit in Dorchester. The exceptional care, love and support that she received was second to none, with the professional and dedicated team ensuring that she was comfortable and still able to be visited by her husband, mum and sisters. 

6 months previously, in December 2019, my grandad (Caroline's father), was also cared for by Weldmar and spent 6 days at our Inpatient Unit, surrounded by his wife, daughters, grandchildren and family. 

And back in the year 2000, my auntie Geraldine was cared for at the same hospice that her dad and sister were also to benefit from, many years later. The wonderful team supported the whole family. 

I am very proud and privileged to be able to work for such an amazing charity, but as one of the Directors, I know just how difficult it is to raise funds at the moment, to enable us to continue providing these services completely free of charge, to everyone who needs it.

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on income but the care continues. People still deserve to be treated with care, compassion, dignity and respect and now, more than ever, Weldmar Hospicecare needs our support. 

So, I am embarking on my own personal challenge, attempting to walk from Ladram Bay in Devon (where my auntie Caroline loved her caravan) to Weldmar's Inpatient Unit in Dorchester, where she spent her last days. 

It's going to be roughly 80km (or about 50 miles give or take) which I will be attempting to complete in just 24 hours. 

This is taking place on 4th and 5th September 2020, on the weekend of what would have been Caroline's birthday. 

Let's do this in her memory, and raise as much money as we can for Weldmar Hospicecare. Every pound makes a difference, so please give what you can and help a family less fortunate than you, receive the amazing care that they deserve. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to Weldmar. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

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About the charity

Weldmar Hospicecare

Verified by JustGiving

RCN 1000414
Weldmar Hospicecare needs to raise £26,000 a day to continue the specialist end of life care we provide in Dorset, both in the comfort of patient's own homes and at our IPU in Dorchester. 20% of our costs are met by the NHS, the rest comes from the generosity of our local community.

Donation summary

Total raised
£11,761.58
+ £1,840.00 Gift Aid
Online donations
£8,504.98
Offline donations
£3,256.60

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