Peterborough’s daily dash raises nearly £30,000 for Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice

The December Daily Dash challenge was started in 2015 by husband and wife Jackie and Mark Smith, after Jackie’s dad, Mike, received care from a Sue Ryder hospice. That first year 13 people signed up to take part, raising £5,000.
Since then the festive fundraiser has snowballed with 1,232 people taking part from right across the UK and as far afield as Denmark, the USA, Canada and Mexico. They raised £310,000 in 2020 for the national palliative, neurological and bereavement support charity, Sue Ryder.
In December 2020, £28,000 was raised for Thorpe Hall.
Dash creators Jackie and Mark said: “Well done and a huge thanks for the amazing fundraising and spirit that all the December Daily Dashers have brought to the dash in 2020!
“Although we couldn’t have the crowds this year, the dash did what it did best - showing that anyone can take part anywhere and anyhow, and whilst we might be all apart, it still has felt like we are still somehow all together.
“We were especially grateful for the dash in this strangest of years, and have loved all of the pictures, videos and stories of everyone enjoying it too. We hope to see everyone back next year when we will be celebrating our 200th dash.”
Locally, people from Peterborough and the surrounding area laced up their trainers to take up the December Daily Dash ‘reins’ in support of their local Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.
Come rain or shine, supporter Tui Smith from Peterborough ran 5km every day during December and raised £1,287.
“It matters to me to know that towards the end of life, the carers at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice would be there for our local community,” said Tui.
“My mother died of breast cancer far too early. I only wish that she had somewhere like Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice to fall back on.
“I hope my support will raise funds for the hospice to continue to provide its excellent care for those in most need in their darkest times. There isn’t a better cause to support whilst enhancing your own general health and wellbeing.”
Jackie Kynaston, from Peterborough, also took part in the December Daily Dash and raised £318.
She said: “We didn’t have the best of weather, but I just kept reminding myself that people who are using the hospice’s services can’t get out to walk, run or dash, so that spurred me on when the rain was lashing down.”
Dave Webb, from Peterborough, raised £636 through the challenge.  
“I did the December Daily Dash in memory of my two neighbours who recently died of cancer within a few weeks of each other, leaving behind two widowers,” he said.
“Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice stepped in to help them when it really mattered. They were both lovely ladies who will be missed.
“I am a keen runner but was injured for a lot of last year. The December Daily Dash was a personal challenge, as well as an opportunity to do my little bit to support Sue Ryder’s efforts.”
Joely Garner, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “I would like to take this opportunity to share a huge thank you to each and every person who completed the December Daily Dash in support of our hospice. For every step you took and pound you’ve raised you’re helped us continue to be there when it matters for local families.”
The funds raised by the December Daily Dash could not come at a more crucial time for Sue Ryder, after it was forced to launch a second urgent fundraising campaign at the end of 2020 in response to the devastating impact the Coronavirus pandemic is having on its funding.
With a further national lockdown announced last week, the charity’s struggle continues with fundraising events remaining cancelled and Sue Ryder’s charity shops having to close their doors once again.
For more information and to donate to the urgent fundraising campaign visit www.sueryder.org/winterappeal20
For more information on the December Daily Dash visit www.decemberdailydash.com