Mammoth fundraising workout The Julia’s House HIIT Squad raised more than £33,000 with a gruelling two-hour high intensity interval training fundraising challenge.
Message from the Mayor of Fordingbridge These are unprecedented and concerning times. In response to the challenge presented by the coronavirus, the government has taken steps that have impacted on all of our daily lives. The Town Council is working with other local authorities, groups and individuals to help our community manage the current challenges that we are all faced with. In line with government advice, the skate park, the play areas, the refreshment kiosk and the toilets have all been closed. However, the main area of the Recreation Ground currently remains open to allow residents a suitable open space for their exercise once a day whilst maintaining appropriate social distancing of two metres. Whilst the Information Office is closed, the Information Office staff can still be contacted by phone on 01425 654560 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday and email (information@fordingbridge.gov.uk) and are continuing to provide their invaluable support, dealing with enquiries and directing residents to the appropriate services and groups. The allotments remain open and the Government’s advice is that plots can continue to be worked provided sensible precautions are taken including maintaining appropriate social distancing. Residents have pulled together and formed ‘Fordingbridge: In need’, a group wanting to help people in the town affected by Covid-19. This local communityrun initiative looks to support Fordingbridge and the wider surrounding areas as we work together during the Coronavirus outbreak. Its aim is to provide support to everyone who needs it within the wider community; ensuring everyone has access to key information and resources. The group also wants to help support local businesses and services as we progress through this difficult time together. ‘Fordingbridge: In need’ can be contacted on 01425 542045 or by email (help@ fordingbridge-in-need.uk) and also has a dedicated Facebook page and website https://fordingbridge-inneed.uk/. Following the temporary closure of the library, the Community Fridge has been relocated to ‘The Branch’ which remains open for the residents of Fordingbridge. Food Bank vouchers can also be obtained from ‘The Branch’. This is all in the context of a broader response from the local community. There are numerous businesses, groups and individuals doing their bit to assist our residents. These are challenging times, but I am proud of the response to those challenges by our community and I want to reassure residents that there is guidance and support available to those that need it.
The children’s hospice’s CEO Martin Edwards was joined by AFC Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe and a team of enthusiastic local business leaders at the BH Live Littledown Centre on 18 March. Jason Gault of TeamJobs, Jamie Wollen of JWA Consulting, Hugh Roper of Rockets & Rascals, Tim Brown of Superior and Natasha Chedgy of Dynamic Health all took up the HIIT Squad challenge alongside Martin, Eddie and Julia’s House director of care Ali Acaster, under safe outdoor conditions that reflected the social distancing advice for COVID-19. “When we started this appeal in January we were looking to raise enough money to fund two Julia’s House nurses. That seemed a big ask, but with the spread of COVID-19, the appeal is now much bigger,” said Martin Edwards. “We are still visiting families in their homes and offering a lifeline of care to hugely vulnerable children, when they may otherwise be isolated from the outside world and we will continue to do so for as
long as we possibly can. At the same time, we are having to postpone and cancel some of our flagship fundraising events. We’re almost 100 per cent publicly funded and we estimate this is going to take £1million of our income this year. We know these are difficult times and everyone is worried, but we so need people to support the HIIT Squad. Our families often don’t have anyone other than Julia’s House to turn to, so people giving today will help us ensure we can carry on supporting the children in our community who need us the most.” BH Live is hoping to hold its own HIIT Squad marathon at Littledown on Wednesday 16 September, subject to the COVID-19 Coronavirus status. It’s your last chance to donate to the HIIT Squad and make a life changing difference to the local families cared for by Julia’s House. Visit Martin and Eddie’s JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving. com/fundraising/JHHIITSQUAD.
Ali Acaster, Tim Brown, Martin Edwards and Eddie Howe
Paul Anstey Visit www.mags4dorset.co.uk for more local news please mention VIEWPOINT Magazine when you contact our advertisers
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