Daily Dash raises £28k for Sue Ryder Wheatfield Hospice in Leeds

The 86 people from across Leeds walked, jogged or ran 5km every single day in December, raising a much-needed £28,700 cash boost for the Sue Ryder Wheatfields hospice.

The December Daily Dash challenge was started in 2015 by husband and wife Jackie and Mark Smith, after Jackie’s dad, Mike, received care from a Sue Ryder hospice. That first year 13 people signed up to take part, raising £5,000.

Since then the festive fundraiser has snowballed and, in 2020, 1,232 people took part from right across the UK and as far afield as Denmark, the USA, Canada and Mexico raising £300,000. 

In Leeds, the people taking part included the Sue Ryder fundraising team from the hospice.

Donna Woodman, head of hospice fundraising, said: “As a team we decided we wanted to do something proactive to help the charity, with the added benefit being that it would help offset some of the excesses of Christmas. During the four weeks of the dash there was a great sense of camaraderie between us all, posting pictures, comments and encouragement to each other online which helped us all feel more connected, all whilst raising much needed funds for the hospice. 

“What kept me motivated running through all weathers was the knowledge that completing a daily 5km was nothing compared to some of the challenges that some of our patients and families face.”  

The funds raised by the December Daily Dash could not come at a more crucial time for Sue Ryder due to the devastating impact the Coronavirus pandemic is having on its funding. 

To donate, visit www.sueryder.org/winterappeal20.