Ultra-fit Hexham butcher Thomas Jewitt is getting knee deep in mud to raise funds for Tynedale Hospice at Home and is encouraging others to join him.
He has signed up to the Mad March Mare, a 10K multi-terrain event with 35 natural and man-made obstacles taking place on 4 March 2017 at Hexham Racecourse, and is hoping to raise £200 for the Hospice.
Tynedale Hospice at Home provides nursing care in the home, Family Support and Hospital Transport Services to people living in the areas of West Northumberland, Tynedale and Ponteland.
Now in its third year, the Mad March Mare, organised by Challenge Northumberland, will see participants navigating a wooded zone, climbing up and down ravines, ascending and descending over 500 metres, battling with the elements and crawling through acres of mud in the course designed by ex-Royal Marines.
Tynedale Hospice at Home, along with St Oswald’s Hospice are the nominated charities for this year’s event.
Thomas, 21, from Haydon Bridge stormed ahead in last year’s Mad March Mare, winning it in an incredible time of 47 minutes – 19 minutes ahead of the second placed participant. He is hoping to repeat his success this year.
Thomas said: “I’m an extremely active person and love to challenge myself and the Mad March Mare is perfect event to put my fitness to the test, but the fact that Tynedale Hospice at Home is one of the nominated charities for this year’s event is one of the reasons I’ve entered again.
“My mum is a Hospice Support Worker for the Hospice I am very aware what a lifeline the charity is to people who need end of life care and the other vital services they offer. Knowing that I’m raising funds that will make a real difference to people in my local community is a huge motivating factor and I want to raise as much money as possible.
“I have already started training and currently run up to seven miles every day so I’m hoping to be in peak condition in time for March.”
Laura Elliott, fundraising manager for Tynedale Hospice at Home, said: “Thomas is a real inspiration. His grit and determination is admirable and we are so grateful that he’s chosen to get involved and raise sponsorship for our Hospice.
“It costs over £700,000 a year to run our services, of which 90% must be raised through voluntary giving and charitable donations. Sponsored events like this are a vital part of our fundraising calendar and all funds raised will make a real difference to the people who use our services.
“Many people have a bucket list of ambitions they’d like to complete in their life time – whether it’s a big challenge like climbing Everest Base Camp, cycling the Coast to Coast or something smaller like hosting a bake sale. At Tynedale Hospice at Home we call it ‘The Life List’ where you can achieve your dreams and support your local hospice at the same time. The Mad March Mare could be the perfect event to add to your ‘Life List’ of challenges.
“But hurry, places are filling up fast – and by signing up to the event through Tynedale Hospice at Home you can take advantage of our discounted entry fee.”
If you would like to take part and collect sponsorship for Tynedale Hospice at Home, please contact Laura Elliott by emailing fundraising@tynedalehospice.com.
Neville Duncan, director of Challenge Northumberland, said: “Challenge Northumberland is proud to have Tyndale Hospice at Home as one of its nominated charities for the 2017 Mad March Mare. The work that Tynedale Hospice at Home carries out is amazing and we hope this event can help to raise more funding to support its work in the area.”
To support Thomas in his fundraising efforts, please visit his fundraising page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Thomas-Jewitt