DCH Charity is delighted to announce that in a bumper weekend of fundraising, over £10,000 has been donated to the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal.
The money has been raised by supporters including DCH staff, individuals and local businesses taking part in the epic Jurassic Coast Challenge, completing the gruelling 10km, 25km, 58km and 100km challenge over Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May.
10K finishers for the Jurassic Coast Challenge
Tilbury Douglas T-Rex Team at the Jurassic Coast Challenge
On the same weekend, DCH Charity Chair, Dave Underwood, completed his challenge to swim 110 kilometres (68 miles) in just 31 days, using local swimming pools across Devon and Dorset.
The combined amount raised will contribute to DCH Charity’s largest Appeal to date (£2.5 million), funding enhanced facilities for the new Emergency Department and Critical Care Unit, which is currently under construction at DCH. Funds raised will help provide facilities and equipment for the new Critical Care Paediatric bed facility and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit in the Emergency Department.
Dave Underwood started his challenge on 18th April, swimming on average 3.5km per day to reach this target and raising £1,000 for the DCH Charity. Dave has been the Chair of the DCH Charity since 2020, and with the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal under way, he decided to make a personal contribution.
Dave said, “Swimming is the way I’ve kept fit for most of my life and I do find myself feeling quite competitive if someone swims past me in the next lane! But I have never done anything like this before. I must have completed at least 250km since my training started in January.”
Dave continues, “I have seen up close the fantastic work the hospital does for local people. By supporting the Emergency and Critical Care Appeal, we can make sure that our hospital is even better able to not only support patients and loved ones, but also the staff that work so hard to provide such excellent care.”
Dave Underwood completed his 100km swim in Bridport
Head of DCH Charity, Simon Pearson, said, “I would like to congratulate all the participants in the Jurassic Coast Challenge and Dave Underwood on their achievements this weekend. It’s great being able to see our supporters take on and complete a personal challenge and raise money for a worthy cause at the same time.”
There is a variety of personal challenges individuals or groups can take on to raise money for DCH Charity, from walking 10,000 steps a day for a month, to holding a cake sale, we’d love to hear your ideas.
Visit our website at: www.dchcharity.org.uk or contact us: charity@dchft.nhs.uk if you are interested in donating or fundraising for your local hospital.