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New Stour & Avon, September 24, 2021
Health & Wellbeing
Hospice hero Jen set for fitness fundraiser A 44-year-old mother of one will attempt 24 gruelling CrossFit workouts in 24 hours to raise money for the new Mac Unit hospice in Christchurch. Jen Rotchell, from Bournemouth is senior trust and corporate fundraiser for Macmillan Caring Locally, which supports the Unit. Jen will tackle a 15-minute CrossFit session every hour for 24 hours on October 16, at Complete Active gym on Mudeford Quay. Weightlifting, pull-ups, handstand push-ups, box jumps, assault bike sessions and burpees are just some of the tough exercises she will be facing, with limited recovery time in between and absolutely no sleep. Jen explained: “Macmillan Caring Locally is an amazing specialist palliative care
IN THE ZONE: Jen Rotchell training for her 24-hour fundraiser
charity that I feel incredibly honoured to work for. “The Mac Unit provides care and support for more than 1,600 people and their families every year and we’re fundraising to build a new modern hospice through our Brick by Brick appeal. “I am attempting this
challenge to help fund the rehabilitation gym in the new hospice building. “My training for the event started in May and I am doing five or six sessions a week before work. “I know I am going to find it immensely hard, physically and mentally, so I hope
people will spur me on by sponsoring me.” Jen hopes to raise £10,000 through sponsorship. She said: “People are already being very generous. “But I have a long way to go. “The coaches and members at Complete Active gym have been very supportive and will be keeping me company by taking part in a 24-hour rowathon to boost my fundraising.” Lin Sharp of Macmillan Caring Locally said: “We are all totally in awe of Jen. “What she is doing is incredible. “Please support her. This will carry her through and will help us get another step closer to building a wonderful new hospice.” Jen can be sponsored via: justgiving.com/fundraising/ plantgirl
Wave of enthusiasm for surf park plan by Faith Eckersall Plans to build a ‘world class’ inland surf lagoon with twometre waves next to the Avon Heath Country Park have been revealed by a Dorset developer. W H White is seeking views on what it calls an ‘exciting and unique opportunity’ on land either side of Brocks Pine, just off the A31 at St Leonards. It says the proposed surf lagoon is supported by the sport’s governing body, Surf England, and represents a ‘once in a generation opportunity for Dorset to cement its reputation as a surf destination and natural playground. “An inland surfing lagoon is a world-class sports, leisure and surf destination where the whole family can surf on consistent, safe waves,” said W H White. “The proposed cove-shaped
SURF’S UP: An artist’s impression of the Brocks Pine scheme
lagoon will produce whitewater waves for beginners, up to 1.8-metre barrelling waves for elite surfers and a family orientated environment for all to enjoy.” The developer also claims the facility could provide up to 40 jobs for local people. An artist’s impression of the site shows the lagoon, with a green-roofed visitor building, a Forest School, cafe, wild play area, skate park, cycle park,
car-park for 380 cars with space for an additional 60, plus green spaces and a seasonal campsite. A proportion of the site would be restored to green space, the developer said. W H White claims the facility would help Dorset ‘hold its own’ against cities like Bristol and Birmingham which, it says, have developed inland surf lagoons that are already drawing visitors, tourism and
expenditure from Dorset. The company controls the land either side of Brocks Pine and Dorset Council controls Avon Heath Country Park. The developer said it would afford an opportunity to work collaboratively to create a “much-improved country park, alongside a significant area of natural greenspace to preserve and protect the Dorset Heaths at no cost to the tax payer.” The wider Avon Heath Country Park would continue to be owned and operated by Dorset Council. The company has opened its website for comments before making a formal application to Dorset Council. Many commentators have taken to social media enthusiastically supporting the idea although others expressed concerns about traffic in the area.
