Birmingham to Bethlehem: The Hortons’ Estate Ltd Christmas charity challenge for St Mary’s Hospice

Total distance travelled

2,342 miles! We have now completed the miles for our Christmas charity challenge

Total raised so far

£4,164

From The Grand to a grand

This Christmas, the Hortons’ team (and a supporting cast of family and friends) will embark upon a very special challenge.

Between 1 -25 December, we are going to walk, run, row, swim and cycle the equivalent distance from The Grand Hotel in central Birmingham to the city of Bethlehem. That’s 2,342 miles in case you were wondering.

It’s not going to be easy. After eight months of coronavirus lockdown, it’s fair to say that some of us are in better physical shape than others.

And just like the ‘three wise men’, there’s every possibility that we may arrive at our destination a little later than expected.

Rest assured we’ll be clocking every mile and tracking our progress on a weekly basis, with updates across our social media channels.

Our aim is to raise a minimum of £1,000.00 which will enable the nurses of St Mary’s Hospice to purchase anything from a mini-fridge to blood sugar kits and thermometers.

If we raise a little more, we may even be able to fund a recliner chair or even support the purchase of an electronic bed.

We would be so grateful if you could support us. Just click the link below and donate whatever you can afford to.

Click here to donate to our Just Giving page.

Thank you.

Updates from the team

Dec 11th:

Another tough week and lots of sore legs and backsides being reported from all departments! We have travelled a massive 847 miles this week through Slovenia, Bosnia, Macedonia and into Greece (virtually, of course).

Only 735 miles to go!!!

Dec 4th:

Wow, quite a week and despite the bad weather HE has put in the miles! Thank you to everyone who has already contributed towards our charity challenge.

As of today, we have clocked up 743 miles towards our target of 2,342 and Bethlehem – and the Church of Nativity look that little bit closer.

After (virtually) leaving England earlier this week we have travelled the length of Belgium, through Luxembourg, Germany and are currently sitting in the Austrian ski resort of Zell Am Zee just south of Salzburg!

Why we’re fundraising for Birmingham St. Mary’s Hospice

The nurses of St Mary’s Hospice do an incredible job.

For more than 40 years they’ve provided a local hospice – a very special place for people nearing the end of their life to live well and to the full.

Today, the nurses of St Mary’s Hospice care for more people than ever before and the demand for care is ever increasing.

To meet this, they’ve channelled more money into developing and diversifying services; they never, ever want to turn a patient away.

The truth is that they urgently need to replace specialist equipment but during a desperately tough year for all of us, there are limited funds available.

So the nurses have devised a wish list and humbly asked their community for support. We absolutely believe they deserve it. And here’s how you can help.