Hydon seeks virtual fundraisers
Residents, staff and volunteers at a Leonard Cheshire care home in Godalming have been determined to go the distance for their annual ‘Hydon Hobble’ fundraiser and are taking the event online this year instead.
Traditionally the family-friendly event sees participants taking part in a 4km run or walk which starts and ends at Hydon’s Ball National Trust location. However, due to coronavirus, the event could not go ahead in its usual format this summer.
Now a virtual fundraiser, participants are encouraged to take on the challenge and complete the distance in their own time and place. Children can also take part by completing a 1km distance.
To get involved, participants can make a donation on the Leonard Cheshire website and complete the challenge whenever and wherever they like.
Nikki is one Hydon Hill resident who has already risen to the challenge, completing laps of the Hydon Hill grounds in June.
Speaking about her achievement, she said: “I was so glad to still be able to do my bit for the Hydon Hobble challenge this year. I really enjoyed doing my laps of the Hydon Hill grounds!”
The event has been running for over a decade and is organised by Chris Arthey, an above-the-knee amputee who completed the London marathon in 2017 aged 61.
“Chris does an amazing job supporting us, year and after year. Despite the challenges this year he still came through for us and supported Hydon Hill,” commented Heidi Harrison, deputy manager at Hydon Hill.
“Chris ran the course in the morning this year which made it possible for more of the residents to be at the gate to cheer him on and give them a welcome break from being homebound. It was even possible with support from the staff to allow Nikki to take part around the grounds, raising nearly £500 all by herself.”
Hydon Hill is home to 42 adults with disabilities and offers daycare and respite care as well. The grounds also have their own charity shop, which has frequent visits from the local community. The money raised from the event will go directly to Hydon Hill, including contributing to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) costs for the service’s carers.
Resident Elisabeth Tovell also completed the challenge in her wheelchair.
“It was very sad we weren’t able to hold the normal Hydon Hobble. But we were delighted that Chris and his friend Liz agreed to run from Hydon Hill and we are grateful that we could meet them at the entrance,” Elisabeth said. “It felt a happy occasion during this long lockdown. Hopefully next year we will be back to normal.”
Participants taking part in the challenge will receive a 2020 Hydon Hobble medal and certificate for their efforts.
Media enquiries
For further information and high res images please contact Erin O’Reilly via erin.o’reilly@leonardcheshire.org.
Notes to editors
Participants can also get involved by sharing photos on social media and using the hashtag #TogetherUnstoppable. to show that no matter what, we are there to support the residents of Hydon Hill.
They can also join our Strava group to log their run and see what everyone else is up to.