“Hospices are so important to local communities and I’m honoured to be supporting ours”

Next October, a team of local hospice fundraisers will be taking on the challenge of a life time trekking across the picturesque deserts in Jordan.

Jo Turnbull, from Carlisle, will be joining the group and raising money for Eden Valley Hospice in memory of her father, Don Hoggarth, who was cared for by the Hospice 3 years ago.

Joanna explained, “My father sadly died at the Eden Valley Hospice on 18 May 2010 and I owe them so much for the fantastic care my dad and family received

“The Hospice was invaluable in those last weeks of my Dads life not only the care of Dad but the care of my Mum, brother and I. The Hospice enabled us to stay the night with my dad and one day we even brought in the dog. I really don’t think we could have coped without the support of the Hospice and the fantastic staff that work there day after day.”

For six nights Joanna and the team of Hospice fundraisers will sleep under the stars in Bedouin camps as they cross the remote deserts of Jordan from Dana to the ‘Lost City’ of Petra. The memorable walking challenge is a fitting tribute for Jo to her father.

“My father was a very keen walker and loved the great outdoors, spending most weekends in the beautiful Lake District walking and climbing. He also completed the 3 Peaks, The Cullins in Skye, and walked most of the Wainwright Walks just to mention a few. In the months before he passed away he was unable to walk and his last walk was in November 2009 where he climbed Great Gable to attend the Remembrance Sunday service, which was an annual event for him.” Continued Jo.

Not only will the once in a life time challenge provide the team of fundraisers with a fantastic opportunity to support the care provided by Eden Valley Hospice’s dedicated team of nurses and specialist doctors, it has also provided Jo, and many of the other fundraisers, with her own personal and physical challenge.

Jo said, “I did not take after my Dad, who tried on numerous occasions to get me up and out walking with him on aSunday so signing up for this challenge is the biggest thing I will ever undertake in my 41 years of being. In May this year I decided enough was enough and decided I wanted to raise money in memory of my father.

“I set a goal to lose weight, get fitter and feel better. I have to date lost 30lm which I couldn’t have achieved without the help of Rachel Dawkins at my local Slimming World Club. In August I signed up for the Jordan Trek so I’m swopping the heels and make up for walking boots and rucksacks.”

The scenic and picturesque Lake District has provided Jo with the perfect training locations to prepare for the rough stony deserts, steep canyons and soft sandy dunes of the desert in Jordan.

“A good friends of mine is supporting me with my walking and I have started doing small walks through Jockey Shields and Kelky Fell. I plan to walk up Catbells, Skiddaw and Blencathra in the New Year. I have also contacted Carlisle Walkers and Ramblers Association who run walks every Wednesday and Sunday to join them.” Continued Jo.

During the coming months Jo will be hosting a range of fundraising events as she hopes to raise £2,000 for Eden Valley Hospice. Jo has already planned a number of bag packs, coffee mornings and other small fundraising events.

Jo explained, “I aim to raise a minimum of £2,000 but would love to smash that figure and raise much, much more. I have already raised £500 to date from donations given by my family and friends and from Lloyds Motors and Bulmans Letting Agency.

My 12 years old daughter, Phoebe, also wants to get involved and her challenge will be to choose a Lakeland Fell and walk it to raise money.”

If you would like to sponsor Jo as she takes one this once in a life time challenge in aid of Eden Valley Hospice please visit www.justgiving.com/joanne-tudor

“I have been overwhelmed by the support of my family and friends and how far people will go to help. I want to say a big thank you to those who have encouraged me to take up this challenge and believed in me. I want to say a big thank you to my mum Liz Hoggarth, my husband Darren and children Phoebe and Ethan for supporting me every step of the way.” Concluded Jo.

Eden Valley Hospice is encouraging people to join Jo and the team of fundraisers on the scenic overseas trek from Sunday 19 to Sunday 26 October 2014. For more information or to sign up today contact the Hospice Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/jordan

“It will be an amazing experience, but ultimately the aim is to raise valuable funds for Eden Valley Hospice.”

In October 2014 a team of local hospice fundraisers will follow in the footsteps of over 6,000 years of history as they take on the challenge of a life time in the beautiful Middle East.

Pamela Mooney, from Crosby on Eden, will be joining the group trekking across Jordan and raising money for Eden Valley Hospice. Pamela will be completing the fundraising challenge in memory of her father, Dennis Glendinning, who was cared for by the Hospice last year.

Pamela explained, “I am hoping to raise essential funds for the Hospice in memory of my dad who sadly passed away at the Hospice on 22 December 2012. The challenge is an opportunity for me, and my family, to say thank you to the staff for the specialist care my dad received, and also for the support they provided to us in the final hours of his life”

Eden Valley Hospice’s first overseas fundraising challenge, will see the group of fundraisers crossing the picturesque desert in Jordan from Dana to the ‘Lost City’ of Petra. The fantastic challenge will provide Pamela with the opportunity to return to the Middle East, an area which has played a big part in her family’s history.

Pamela continued, “The Middle East has been a significant influence in my family’s life. My dad spent many years there, firstly in the 60’s as a young soldier with the Kings Own Scottish Border Regiment touring Oman, Aden and Sharjah.

“In 1975 he returned to the Emirates to work for Stevin Rock a Dutch quarrying company. On completion of his contact in 1981 he followed his family back to Carlisle, deciding instead of flying to drive our family’s ageing Toyota Corolla back to Carlisle. His road trip took him from Ras Al Khaimah, through Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the former Yugoslavia, Croatia, Turkey and Europe, arriving in Carlisle 3 weeks later.”

Over thirty years after her father visited Jordan Pamela will join the team of Hospice fundraisers sleeping under the stars for six nights in Bedouin camps. The once in a lifetime challenge will provide Pamela with the opportunity to remember her father, who used to own The Frying Pan fish and chip shop in Stanwix, by following in his footsteps through the Middle East.

“It is now my turn to follow in my dad’s footsteps with a challenge of my own in his memory. I enjoy a challenge, however this will be the first challenge in which I won’t have the creature comforts of home at the end of each day. Jordan will be 6 days of trekking across a barren desert in sweltering heat therefore I’m just a little apprehensive about 6 days of back to basics without my ensuite shower.” Continued Pamela.

Jordan’s rich and varied culture, stunning scenery and warm welcome will provide the perfect back drop for all of the Eden Valley Hospice fundraisers. The local hospice is now encouraging the local community to join Pamela and sign up for this once in a lifetime challenge in aid of Eden Valley Hospice.

Pamela continued “I am excited about experiencing Jordan, its people and making new friendships along the way. The trip includes a visit to an orphanage (SOS Children’s Village, Amman), a swim in the Dead Sea and visiting Petra. Having recently watched a holiday video of my dad at Petra, the visit to the seventh wonder of the world will most definitely be the highlight of my trip.”

In the upcoming months Pamela will be hosting a range of events as she raises money to support the care provided by Eden Valley Hospice’s dedicated team of nurses and specialist doctors. Pamela has began to plan a range of fundraising events as she raises the £2,000 sponsorship for the event.

Pamela concluded “Recently we raised £145 at a chilli cook off in The Stag, Crosby. A fellow Jordan fundraiser, who has become a friend, has agreed bag packing dates with Carlisle supermarkets. Cake bakes and raffles have also been organised and a garden party is in the planning stages for the coming year.

“I would be most grateful for any fundraising support or sponsorship and in anticipation of this in the coming year I would like to send a big thank you to everyone involved. With a special thank you to my Mum and children Nathalie, Chris and Alex.”

If you would like to learn more about Pamela’s fundraising or sponsor her as she takes on this once in a lifetime challenge in aid of Eden Valley Hospice visit www.justgiving.com/Pamela-Mooney.

Eden Valley Hospice is encouraging you to join Pamela and the team of fundraisers on the memorable overseas trek from Sunday 19 to Sunday 26 October 2014. For more information or to sign up today contact the Hospice Fundraising Team on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/jordan

Hospice fundraisers follow in the footsteps of Indiana Jones

The elaborate, hand carved, sandstone temples of Petra have provided a stunning backdrop for a variety of iconic films and in October 2014 a group of Hospice fundraisers will be following in the footsteps of a host of Hollywood legends.

The Rose City of Petra in Jordan, which has featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Arabian Nights and Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, will be the final destination for Eden Valley Hospice’s first overseas fundraising challenge.

For six days a group of Hospice fundraisers will trek across the picturesque and stunning desert in Jordan as they follower hunters trails from the Dana Nature Reserve to one of the ‘New 7 Wonders’ of the world, Petra. Famously, the spectacular, sandstone city was included in the final scenes of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade as Indiana, played by Harrison Ford, searched for the Holy Grail.

Eden Valley Hospice is encouraging the local community to release their inner Indiana Jones and go on the adventure of a life time across the beautiful Jordanian countryside and support the Hospice’s dedicated team of nurses and specialist doctors.

Emma Marshall, Hospice Fundraiser, said “The Dana to Petra trek is a fantastic way for you to release you inner adventurer and support Eden Valley Hospice. The beautiful trek will see the group of fundraisers sleeping under the stars in Bedouin style camps and visiting the brilliant SOS Children’s Villages project on the final day of adventure.”

Are you ready to follow in Indiana Jones’s footsteps and trek across the stunning desert and valleys in Jordan? To find out more or to sign up contact the Fundraising Team today on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/jordan

Hospice fundraisers to sleep under the desert stars

Hospice fundraisers will be following in the footsteps of over 6,500 years of history as they trek across the picturesque landscape of the Middle East.

Famed for its ruined cities, deserted citadels and the Dead Sea, Jordan boasts a rich and steep history and in October 2014 a group of fundraisers will make history for Eden Valley Hospice as the local hospice hosts its first over seas challenge.

For six days the group of fundraisers will sleep under the stars in Bedouin camps as they trek through the rugged and beautiful landscape of Jordan. Beginning in the hilly landscape of the historical Dana Nature Reserve the exploratory trek will take fundraisers on hunters’ trails through deep gorges and across high ridges to the ‘lost city’ of Petra, which is spectacularly carved into sheer cliff faces.

Emma Marshal, Hospice Fundraiser, said “This great adventure is an amazing way for people to support Eden Valley Hospice, trek through the picturesque Middle East and visit one of the ‘New 7 Wonders’ of the world in Petra. The group of 16 fundraisers will experience one of the finest treks in the Middle East as they complete this memorable challenge.”

Along with visiting the stunning Rose City of Petra the Hospice fundraisers will have the opportunity to swim in the Dead Sea and experience the splendid variety of the Jordan landscape and culture. From old ruins found in the Bible to the gazelles and striped hyenas, Jordan’s picturesque landscape will provide the perfect location for the Eden Valley Hospice fundraisers to support the local hospice’s dedicated team of nurses and specialist doctors.

Are you ready to trek through the picturesque landscape of Jordan and support local people and their families with life limiting illnesses? Contact the Eden Valley Hospice Fundraising Team today on 01228 817613 or visit www.evhospice.org.uk/Jordan