Dorset County Hospital team raise £100,000 on Jurassic Coast Challenge
The group's supporting the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal
A team of fundraisers for Dorset County Hospital have raised £100,000 between them by taking on the Jurassic Coast Challenge.
More than 50 people took on the 100km trek on the 18th and 19th of May, in support of the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal at the Dorchester hospital.
The DCH100 group have also raised a further £4,000 for other wards and departments.
The team's led by former DCH consultant Michael Dooley, who took on the full distance from Corfe Castle to Bridport. He said:
“It was a true ultra challenge for the body, mind and inner self. The experience reaffirmed to me the importance of teamwork. The support staff were phenomenal; their enthusiasm, encouragement, flapjacks, dry clothes, and unwavering assistance throughout the day and night were crucial to our success.
“Fellow walkers continually motivated each other – during those cold, damp and exhausting hours around 4am nothing compares to a friend’s encouraging word to keep you going. It was a genuine team effort for a wonderful cause and everyone involved must be congratulated.”
When asked how he came to be involved fellow 100km walker, 85 year old Peter Down said:
“I think it was at a chance meeting with fellow team member Rob Acheson last January. I was saying how I still enjoyed fairly long walks and he replied - You should do the 100K Jurassic Coast Challenge this year - quite persuasively. I mentioned it to my neighbours, Robert and Janet, and that was it. Training began.”
Head of Charity, Simon Pearson said:
“This is an extraordinary achievement by all who took part, both in terms of the challenge and the amount of funding raised. Dillon’s resilience exemplifies this determination to get through this challenge and has been an inspiration to us all. It was great to see both Dillon and Daniel so positive as they crossed the finish line after their epic 100km walk.”
The DCH100 fundraising effort will support the hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care Appeal which is raising funds to enhance the new Unit being built on the hospital’s Dorchester site.