Wakefield Fundraisers step up to raise record amount for Wakefield Hospice

Date
01/06/21
Category
Fundraising
Wakefield Fundraisers step up to raise record amount for Wakefield Hospice
Pride of Britain nominee, Sarah Powala has completed her annual challenge – the gruelling 10K a day in May (#10KADIM) to raise funds for Wakefield Hospice.
 
The event, which is now in its 6th consecutive year, came to an end on Monday 31st May at The Castle Pub in Sandal after 30 fundraisers ran the final 10k route from Wakefield Hospice, with many more running or cycling their own route on the final day.
 
The collective fundraising target was £11,500 which has been exceeded and with sponsorship pledges still to come the team hope to raise £18,000 for patient care.
 
55 supporters joined in the COVID secure event throughout May, including Helen Knowles, Director of Income Generation at the hospice who promised to support Sarah by cycling the same 10k route each day.
 
The collective fundraisers nicknamed ‘The Green Army’ have either ran, cycled or rowed 10k a day throughout the month, some every day and some dipping in to support Sarah’s challenge as and when they could.
 
Helen Knowles said: “We’ve braved hail storms, torrential rain, mud and wind, and what feels like every weather element, but it was all worth it and I’m overwhelmed by the amount we’ve raised and support we’ve received. Thank you to everyone who has taken part. I’m so proud of Sarah and grateful to her for the support she gives to the hospice. I’ve said it before, not all superheroes wear capes and Sarah is certainly that.”
 
Event organiser Sarah, who is known in Wakefield as ‘The Tattooed Runner’, launched the event as a way to deal with her grief and in memory of her mother, who spent her final days at Wakefield Hospice in 2015.
 
Sarah said: “I wasn’t much of a runner before my mum passed away but the hospice’s annual 10k race took place while she was a patient and I felt it would be a nice gesture to take part and try and raise some money.”
 
“Mum was really proud of my effort in that first 10k race, so when she passed away on April 29th, I decided to turn my grief into something positive and came up with the idea of a ‘10k A Day in May’ challenge. I also wanted to thank the hospice for the tremendous and dignified care my mum received, not to mention their support to me.  
 
“That first year was absolute agony – but every year since it’s become a little easier; made even more so by the fact more and more people have joined me in the challenge. This year was no exception and whenever I felt like I can’t go on I’d think of my mum cheering me on and it kept me going. The hospice has been hit hard by the pandemic and so this year was more important than ever to raise funds. I’m so proud to be a part of it and grateful to everyone who took part or donated. I would like to say a big thank you.”
 
To show gratitude for Sarah’s fundraising efforts, Wakefield Hospice has announced that October 13th – Sarah’s Mum’s birthday – will be dedicated to Shirley and everyone who participated in the ‘10k A Day in May’ challenge will be given the opportunity to run a special 10k in Shirley’s memory.
 
“Sarah’s efforts over the years have been inspirational and have kept Shirley’s memory alive.” added Helen. “Sarah says she’s just an ordinary girl, but actually she’s much more and we feel privileged that she has continued to support Wakefield Hospice and raise funds for patient care in such an extraordinary way.”
 
To donate visit https://wakefieldhospice.enthuse.com/cf/10k-a-day-in-may-85c67