As committed trustees of Longfield Community Hospice, we are taking on the Cotswold Way Challenge to raise money for our patients, their carers and family members.

The challenge takes on 102 hilly miles from Chipping Campden to Bath. It is suggested that the route is completed in 6-11 days, but as its a challenge we will be completing it in 5 days! We will start on Wednesday 16th September and will cross the finishing line in Bath on Sunday 20th September, of course ensuring we follow social distancing guidelines.

As trustees we have seen the financial difficulties Longfield has endured during Covid-19, with the 20 shops being shut for many months and face-to-face fundraising having to be completely cancelled. Each month the hospice was losing over £250,000 in income. Despite the challenges Longfield has continued to deliver free care and support to hundreds of patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families since the coronavirus outbreak and importantly, has adapted accordingly to ensure care is delivered safely within peoples homes and new remote services have been developed, such as telephone counselling.

Its not going to be an easy challenge but were keen to raise as much money as possible to make up for the many cancelled fundraising events over the Summer. The walking boots are at the ready and the training is underway! Please do spare as much as you can afford to support the patients and families of Longfield. Every step taken and every penny raised will go towards helping people at a very difficult time of their lives- we thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity.

Best Wishes

Alan Simmons and Hugh Gladman