Southwell resident David Tomkinson is challenging himself to walk one million steps to raise money for a charity-run hospice — and he’s urging others to join in.

For 100 days, up to 23rd December, David will be getting his steps in, walking approximately 500 miles in total.

He is raising money for Beaumond House Community Hospice, Newark, which is facing a £200,000 funding shortfall as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The charity provides a range of end of life and bereavement support services to people in the area, supporting more than 500 patients and their families each year.

Sadly, due to coronavirus, the charity experienced higher running costs and a reduction in donations as its charity shops were closed, fundraising events were cancelled and family and friends were unable to attend funerals.

Hoping to raise as much money as possible to support the charity, David is urging 100 other people in the community to also walk a million steps for Beaumond House.

David, who is a director of local business, AndPartnership, and a director of Beaumond House, said: “Due to the pandemic, hospice fundraising has fallen dramatically and Beaumond House is facing a £250,000 shortfall this year, if it wants to keep providing its fantastic, free service to the local community.

“I was distressed to find that someone has shrunk my clothes a bit during lockdown, so I thought, after what has been, quite frankly, a rubbish year, why not focus on making Christmas one in a million.

“My aim is to do over 10,000 steps every day from 1st September until 23rd December, which will be over one million steps or 500 miles.

“Hopefully I can sit down for my Christmas dinner in great shape, having raised some cash and had some fun along the way.

“I would really appreciate any amount of sponsorship, no matter how large or small — every donation makes a difference and will help them towards their target of continuing to deliver their excellent, free patient care.

“If you would be interested in joining me in this challenge, as one of our ‘100 for 100’, we are looking for 100 people to take this challenge as well, who are willing to raise just £100 from friends and family.”

Cathy Lowe, fundraising manager at the hospice, added: “As a charity we depend on members of our community for generous donations which help us to continue caring for people as we do. Unfortunately, the pandemic has had a major impact on our finances and so we need your support more than ever.

“It’s wonderful that David is walking a million steps to support us and we’re thrilled that so many people have already pledged to sponsor him and join in.

“We’d love for more people to help him reach his fundraising goals and it’d be fantastic if even more people could set off on their own walking challenges to raise even more.

“Covid-19 has been a huge challenge for us so we urgently need your help and your donations to see us through the winter, which is always a difficult time for hospices like ours.

“With a second peak of coronavirus expected, we’re doing everything we can to ensure the safety and comfort of all of our patients and their families.”

You can sponsor David by visiting his JustGiving appeals page: ‘Let’s get going again! A million steps by Christmas’ or you can donate directly to Beaumond House Community Hospice by visiting www.beaumondhouse.co.uk, calling 01636 610556 or donating through the charity’s own JustGiving page — www.justgiving.com/beaumondhouse.

If you’d like to join David in walking 100 steps by Christmas, you can contact him by emailing david@andpartnership.com

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