ON FRIDAY, a Dad from Torquay will to break a sweat to help out the work of a Tilehurst-based hospice.
Ben Pountney is to complete 24 workouts in 24 hours at his local gym in a fitness challenge that aims to raise funds for Sue Ryder, as a way of thanking the team for their care they gave to his mum at the end of her life.
He is hoping to raise £3,000 during his challenge.
The 39-year-old already has the fitness bug and is preparing to run the London Marathon for the first time later this year.
Ben’s Mum Jill Clark passed away on Christmas Day in 2018. She had breast cancer.
Talking about the care she received from Sue Ryder, father-of-three Ben said: “Mum lived with her partner in Reading for more than 15 years, and received amazing support and respite care from the Duchess of Kent Hospice while she was ill, before then spending her final weeks there.
“It was a very difficult time – especially as I was living almost 200 miles away in Devon – and the nurses were amazing in ringing me daily to keep me updated, as well as being so accommodating when I came up to visit.
“I can’t speak highly enough about them; nothing mum required was ever too much trouble and their kindness and care was a great support to me and my family.”
He continues: “After mum passed away, I used Sue Ryder’s free Online Bereavement Counselling Service, which was really significant and helped me no-end in dealing with my grief. It was there when I needed it most and it’s another reason why I want to do my bit to raise funds for the charity.”
Ben’s gruelling 24-hour exercise-athon starts at 3pm on Friday, March 25, and will see him complete 24 separate classes ranging in length from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, including rowing, cycling, HIIT (high-intensity) as well as a combined 15 miles of running. Throughout the day and night he will be joined by coaches and fellow members of the gym for encouragement and moral support.
He said: “A 24-hour workout followed by my first-ever marathon later this year sounds like a lot, but in truth it doesn’t compare to what my mum went through, and the inspiration given to me by her strength and courage will get me through it and she will be with me every step of the way.
“I am determined to give something back and say thank you to the hospice that cared for her so well. I’m so grateful to Ross and the team at Diverse Fitness for really embracing my fundraising idea and supporting this amazing charity, which is so close to my heart.”
And his efforts are appreciated by the Liebenrood Road hospice.
Its senior community fundraiser, Tom Horsfield, said: “We are absolutely in awe of Ben for taking on this incredible challenge to boost his marathon fundraising efforts for our hospice.
“Every pound will help our teams continue to go above and beyond, filling last days with love and helping to give families a better goodbye.
“We are so grateful for his support.”
To support Ben, visit: justgiving.com/fundraising/Ben-Pountney
For more information about Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice, visit: sueryder.org/duchessofkent
