Where’s Wally? Paddling the canal for Overgate!
GEMMA TAYLOR is on the crest of a wave after paddle-boarding along the canal from Sowerby Bridge to Todmorden to help Overgate Hospice.
The sun shone as Gemma, from Todmorden, navigated the nine-mile route along the Rochdale Canal – dressed as Where’s Wally.
Gemma made the decision to set herself the incredible challenge due to the Covid pandemic and the latest lockdown which has impacted the Elland hospice.
Gemma said: “I know that many charities have struggled during the pandemic and when I saw Overgate’s social media post asking for people to take on a challenge to raise muchneeded money for them it was perfect timing.
“With not much to look forward to and everyday starting to feel the same I could feel it starting to affect my mental health so I knew I needed to do something positive.
“The hospice does a fantastic job caring for our community and I am so pleased to be able to do something to help.”
The weather was kind on Saturday as Gemma set off on her challenge with her mum walking alongside her, carrying a bucket for donations.
Gemma added: “It was such a beautiful day and it was great to see the canal sides packed with people out for their daily exercise.
“I don’t think they normally
GREAT EFFORT: Gemma Taylor at the start of her paddle-board challenge along the Rochdale Canal from Sowerby Bridge to Todmorden
see Where’s Wally passing them on the canal so it definitely raised a few smiles from passers-by.
“People were incredibly generous, popping lots on spare change into our bucket.”
Gemma hopes to have raised over £1,000 from her challenge to support the work of the hospice.
Rachel Lumb, Challenge and Event Fundraiser, said: “We love
hearing the wonderful ideas that our community come up with to support the work that our incredible nursing team does but paddle-boarding while being dressed up as Where’s Wally is a new one to us and we just love it! We want to say a huge thank you to Gemma for taking on this challenge.”
With the closure of all 13 shops on January 5 it was predicted the hospice would lose
£270,000 of the expected income, however the continued support from the Calderdale community is helping to bridge that gap and ensure the Hospice’s doors remain open to care for local people.
If you would like to donate to Gemma’s fundraising target, you can do so by visiting https:// www.justgiving.com/fundraising/gemgemspaddleboarding.
If you would like to get involved
with fundraising for Overgate, please contact the hospice on 01422 387121 or visit their website.
Overgate, founded in 1981, provides specialist palliative care for adults suffering from progressive, life-limiting illnesses. It is the only adult hospice in the Calderdale area.
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