By combining their daily exercise hours during the lockdown period they managed to collectively walk, run or cycle 24,900 miles over 92 days, raising more than £10,000.

The team’s combined mileage was added up each evening and plotted on the globe, so that they were aware of the various landmark cities and countries they were passing through virtually. On arrival in Australia a Zoom meeting was arranged with Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice in Sydney, so that the hospice teams from Dorset and Wiltshire could chat and compare how their services had been affected by the COVID pandemic.

Julia’s House carers Gemma Linford and Annie Earl co-ordinated the challenge from the beginning.

Annie says, “As well as raising much needed funds for Julia’s House the challenge has had some tremendous benefits for our team’s physical and mental health.  I’d like to say thank you to all who participated, to all who gave up so much of their time to collect the mileage each evening and to all who supported, encouraged and donated along the way.”

Mike Bartlett, Julia’s House deputy CEO, said, “Covid-19 has had an enormous impact on Julia’s House, especially the vulnerable and isolated families we care for. It has brought us all together, however, as demonstrated by the incredible team of nurses and carers who spent their spare time helping to keep the charity going whilst other fundraising activities had to be cancelled. We are all in awe of their energy and enthusiasm to help others.”

Anyone wishing to donate to the Around the World Global Fundraising Challenge can visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gemma-linford2