Six staff members from Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice will join fundraiser Mark Walker in an extraordinary Ice Dip challenge to support critically important services for families facing unimaginable challenges.
Mark Walker, from Worksop, has committed to completing more than 100 Ice Dips, already raising more than £7,000 for Bluebell Wood and Together for Short Lives. On Friday 20th December he was due to take his Ice Barrel to the hospice, where team members will join him in the chilly fundraising event.
“I’ve been raising money throughout my life, since my army days,” Mark explained. “I’ve likely raised around £100,000 for various charities. This challenge for Bluebell Wood is particularly meaningful, and I’m excited the team is joining me.
“Getting into the ice in December is not for the faint hearted so please do support the team and sponsor them if you can.”
Bluebell Wood, which opened in North Anston, in 2008, cares for babies, children and young people from across South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, North Derbyshire and parts of North Lincolnshire whose lives are sadly just too short, both in their own homes and at the hospice.
In addition to clinical care services, it provides a home-from-home for families facing the toughest of times. The team also supports other health care providers in the community and in local hospitals.
It costs almost £6.5m each year to keep the hospice running, with around just 16% of funding coming from government and the remaining 84% generated by fundraising. All services are completely free to families who are referred to Bluebell Wood.
Hannah Goulding, regional fundraiser for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, added: “We’re thrilled Mark has chosen this novel challenge. I’ll be joining five colleagues in taking the ice plunge. It is great that we can support our dedicated fundraisers in this way.”
To support Mark and the team head to www.justgiving.com/page/teambluebellicedip?newPage=true.