The Italian job!
Gardens staff heading for ‘Florence’ in charity trek
FUNDRAISING staff at Trentham Gardens are walking or running 884 miles to Florence in Italy – without leaving the popular tourist attraction.
The team is ‘virtually’ travelling the distance from Trentham’s famous ‘Perseus with the Head of Medusa’ statue in the Italian Gardens to the original 16th century masterpiece located in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria.
Trentham’s statue next to the lake is the only true replica of the original.
It is one of the biggest freestanding bronze sculptures in the UK after being commissioned by the 2nd Duke of Sutherland around 1840.
To raise money for three charities, those taking part will be running and walking around the Capability Brown designed lake at the heart of the historic estate.
The challenge will raise funds for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, Landaid, which campaigns to end youth homelessness in the UK and the Alzheimer’s Society.
The Trentham Estate’s Director, Alastair Budd, added: “The Trentham Estate is always looking at how we can support charities and the ‘Perseus to Perseus Challenge’ seemed the perfect opportunity, especially with so many fundraising events being cancelled this year.
“The team can’t wait to get started and while they don’t actually get to end their run in Italy, they’re thrilled that we can help raise vital funds for these three charities, each with their own personal link to Trentham. And if you spot any of the fundraisers on your next visit then please do give them a cheer, I’m sure they’ll appreciate it”.
While it is actually 883.27 miles as the crow flies from Trentham to Florence, the Gardens team have rounded it up for the charity challenge.
Each lap of the lake at Trentham is 2.2 miles, so the 884-mile target will equal 401.8 laps throughout the month of October – an average of 13 laps per day. 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.”
Anyone wanting to support the charity effort can find out more at https://www.trentham.co.uk/blog/2020/september/ perseus-to-perseus/