Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

Whilst we've both done events individually, this will be our first joint-venture fund-raiser.

Why this event and why this charity we hear you asking? Well the obvious reason is not it. (Thankfully) we, nor our families, have needed their care services so we are not doing this for any direct reason. Eden Valley is the well known adult hospice, but less known is the Jigsaw part of this amazing organisation which gives end-of-life-care to children, not just from Cumbria but also Southern Scotland, and it is this aspect that we are concentrating our efforts.

During my working life (Jim speaking) I've had the opportunity to visit many interesting sites/places all around the globe. I've worked in many difficult/dangerous/crazy situations and have had to interrupt our working days for countless reasons, mostly mundane, production line stops, power outages, weather etc.

Over the last couple of years we started working with the hospice on efforts to help them reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint by installing Solar PV and other equipment. So what you are thinking, how does that fit in here? Well, it might not be obvious but it certainly is simple and it may shock you. It's the only place I've worked where the work had to stop for two main reasons, either to allow a family/friends to have silence when saying their last goodbyes to a loved one, or to allow a hearse to arrive or depart with some dignity around the area we were using to gain access to the roof. The first time this happened was a shock, heart-breakingly this wasn't the only time work had to stop.

We have got to know many of the staff who work there every day and for me, what I said above, just drove home hard the fabulous work these guys do every hour every day, it could not be more different to anywhere else I've worked. Hospices are places none of us want to really think about, but the work they do and the care/support they provide, in the worst of circumstances, is unrivalled and important for all.

So it is for that reason Caroline and I went through the entry process and ended up being picked as one of 10 couples (the only from Scotland) to attempt this amazing challenge of covering 8 European Cities in 8 Days, with each day bringing a new surprise.

Our hope is that, with your help, we allow the hospice to continue their amazing support in an ever harder world.

It would be great to win the race but even better to be the team winning the accolade as the highest fund raiser, that would be amazing.

If you've never done it before, donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

If you would like to find out more about the event please have a click here... https://www.edenvalleyhospice.org/support-us/events/race-across-europe/