STAFF at Julia’s House have made it to the end of their mammoth Around the World global fundraising challenge, raising more than £10,000 in the process.

By combining their daily exercise hours during the lockdown period, the team at the Dorset and Wiltshire children’s hospice charity has managed to collectively walk, run or cycle 24,900 miles in 92 days a distance equivalent to travelling round the circumference of the world.

In the process they have been able to raise in excess of £10,000 to help the charity continue its vital work caring for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions across Dorset and Wiltshire.

Julia’s House carers Gemma Linford and Annie Earl have co-ordinated the challenge from the beginning, after realising that colleagues wanted to do something to support the charity during the difficult lockdown period.

Annie said: “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.”

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 two hospice teams could chat and compare how their services had been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Julia’s House Deputy CEO Mike Bartlett added: “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 justgiving.com/fundraising/gemma-linford2.