Team raise thousands through Tuscan trek

A PARAMEDIC and his friends and colleagues raised thousands of pounds for St Michael’s Hospice and the Sara Lee Trust by undertaking a gruelling climbing challenge in Italy.

Tim Hodgson, together with Dave Haggar, Steve Beach, Stuart Campbell, Sadie Mitchell, Ross Williams, Mark Quinnell, Lesley Barnes, Robin Gabb, Tony Rose, Susan Faulkner, Steve Connell, Cathy Connell and Bijan Danesh-Naruie, took part in the Tuscany Three Peaks event and have already collected more than £5,000, with cash still flooding in.

Mr Hodgson, who organised the fundraiser and joined in the climb, said: “The challenge was fantastic, absolutely amazing but very hard. We did it over 48 hours with a small amount of sleep between each peak. We climbed Monte Forato, which is 1,200m high, Pania della Croce, 1,849m high, and Pania Secca, which is 1,750m high. There was varied terrain and the scenery was beautiful.

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“I have been actively fundraising for various charities since I was 18, usually raising money for cancer related charities and more often than not, St Michael’s Hospice. I grew up watching my mum and dad work so hard to help people suffering with such a cruel disease. They both helped set up St Michael’s and my dad was the head of fundraising for several years. My mum went on to set up the Heart of Kent Hospice in Maidstone, was the matron for many years and made a huge difference to staff and patients alike.”

To celebrate completing the trip and to raise more funds, Mr Hodgson is organising a party at the Phoenix Venue in Parkstone Road tomorrow (Saturday) from 7.30pm to 1.30am.

There will be a night of Elvis tribute with Trevor Dodson, live music from MixBeats and late night DJ Adam, as well as a casino with prizes. Tickets for the party are £10.

Mr Hodgson added: “I would like to thank the team for doing the challenge and raising so much money. There is still time to donate. Log onto www.justgiving.com/timstuscany.”

“The challenge was fantastic, absolutely amazing but very hard. I would like to thank the team for raising so much money,”- Tim Hodgson