From Trentham to Florence… a charity challenge with a difference

Staff at Staffordshire’s Trentham Gardens have set themselves a marathon charity challenge in October – walking and running from the popular tourist attraction to Florence in Italy.

But the 884-mile trek will be completed without leaving the boundaries of the Trentham Estate on the edge of Stoke-on-Trent, because this particular challenge starts and finishes at one of the finest Italianate gardens outside of Italy.

Taking inspiration from Trentham’s famous ‘Perseus with the Head of Medusa’ statue – the only true copy of an original 16th century masterpiece located in Florence’s piazza della Signoria – staff members aim to cover the total distance between the two statues.

Trentham’s replica – proudly standing at the head of the Italian Gardens overlooking the lake - was one of the biggest freestanding bronze sculptures in the UK after being commissioned by the 2nd Duke of Sutherland around 1840.

To achieve their ambitious target, and raising money for three charities, those taking part will be running, walking and jogging around the Capability Brown designed lake at the heart of the historic Estate.

While it is actually 883.27 miles as the crow flies from Trentham to Florence, Trentham has rounded it up for the charity challenge.

And with a lap of the lake at Trentham racking up 2.2 miles, the 884 mile target will equal 401.8 laps throughout the month of October – an average of 13 laps per day.

Staff will be joining in the sponsored charity challenge with funds raised split between Stoke’s Douglas Macmillan Hospice (known as Dougie Mac); LandAid, which campaigns to end youth homelessness in the UK and Alzheimer’s Society

Land Aid - Paul Morrish CEO:

“The global pandemic has affected us all, but for thousands of young homeless people across the UK it has been impossible. Many lost their unstable employment in the hospitality and retail sectors and lived in cramped accommodation which was difficult to isolate in. But it is thanks to initiatives such as this that we have been able to continue to support young people who need it. Thanks so much to the team at Trentham Gardens, by getting creative this October, you will be changing the lives of young people who so desperately need it – thank you.”

Douglas Macmillan Hospice - Donna Adams, Head of Fundraising and Lottery at Dougie Mac

COVID-19 and subsequent restrictions have impacted us all. Here at Dougie Mac, we are incredibly proud that we have been able to maintain our end-of-life care throughout the pandemic. We want to thank Trentham Gardens and all of their staff for carrying out such a great fundraising initiative, helping to raise essential income to allow us to continue providing the exceptional care that we are locally renowned for.”