Members of Pewsey Netball Club have travelled more than 8000 miles to virtually reach South Africa – the host country of the next Netball World Cup. They've completed this mega challenge to raise money for Julia's House.
Aged from 18 to mid-60s, the team of 29 ladies completed the challenge during the latest lockdown and have so far raised £750 to support our care for local families of children with life-limiting conditions.
Located across Wiltshire, they each chose different activities in their local areas to clock up miles for the ambitious 8295 mile challenge from Pewsey to Cape Town, including walking, running, cycling and paddle boarding.
Before the pandemic, the netball club had chosen Julia’s House as their charity of the year and had hoped to host a netball tournament and Mamma Mia-themed ball to fundraise for us. However, when COVID-19 hit, they were forced to postpone their plans.
Committee member Emily Hues said, “We’d normally be meeting and training each week, so we thought a mileage challenge to Cape Town would be a great way for us to raise money and also keep our fitness up as a team."
"About mid-way through I did think, ‘What have we taken on and why have I posted this all over social media?’ But no one wanted to let the team or Julia’s House down.”
She added, “One of our members has a personal connection with Julia’s House because her nephew is cared for by the nurses and carers there. It’s very upsetting to think of a child needing round the clock care or end of life care. So to think that there’s somewhere in Wiltshire that can help children and families in the hospice or at home – it does help to motivate you to keep going.”
The team completed their challenge in 11 weeks, finishing just one week before lockdown lifted and training could resume at the club.
“Each week we’d add up our miles and plot it on the map, almost imagining we were there,” Emily said. “After we finally made it, there was a real buzz. This third lockdown has felt the hardest for us all and we were so pleased we’d been able to do something positive for Julia’s House and for ourselves.”
Julia’s House Fundraiser, Claudia Hickin, said, “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Pewsey Netball Club for their amazing support and energy, and for making a real difference for the local seriously ill children and families that we care for.
“We’re 100% reliant on the generosity of the public to keep our care going in Wiltshire, so we’re incredible grateful to all our fundraisers, donors and volunteers for their support”
You can support Pewsey Netball Club’s challenge and make a donation to Julia’s House at their Just Giving page.
Or if you're inspired to virtually travel the world and raise money for us, sign up for our Seven Wonders of the World challenge.
