When Diana Lawrence, the sister of a child supported by Julia’s House, challenged its CEO Martin Edwards to take on twenty challenges to mark his twentieth year with the charity, he had no idea what lay ahead. Those challenges would see him ziplining at 100mph, skydiving from 13,000ft, tackling a gruelling 37-mile ultra race in the Lake District – and even getting his first tattoo.
Martin invited business leaders, well-known local figures and charity patrons to take part in the 20/20 Challenge, each setting their own personal challenge alongside him, while Martin committed to completing all 20.
The 20/20 Challenge has helped to raise over £130,000 to preserve vital hospice care for the most seriously ill children and their families across Dorset and Wiltshire. The event has also scooped a national accolade with Martin winning Fundraiser of the Year at the prestigious Charity Heroes Awards organised by the Benefact Group.
The partners and challenges included:
- James McVey, lead guitarist and singer of The Vamps and Julia’s House Patron, getting a tattoo designed by a Julia’s House sibling
- Vikki Slade MP completing a triathlon via kayak, bike and hike from one end of her Mid-Dorset & North Poole constituency to the other
- Philip Palmer pulling a tractor at Farmer Palmer’s family farm park, helped by England’s Strongest Man, Weymouth’s Kane ‘the Hurricane’ Francis
- Tim Brown MBE, owner of Dorset manufacturer Superior Seals, tackling a 90-minute Hyrox fitness challenge
- Dan Hawker of Swindon’s Fish Bros. Toyota dealers coaching Martin and completing the Lake District ultra with him
- Diana Lawrence and staff from law firm Jane James Associates abseiling down Portsmouth’s Spinnaker Tower
- James May, TV presenter and Julia’s House supporter, hosting an evening and auction with Martin Edwards as his auctioneer at the Royal Oak in Salisbury
- Darren Mooney of creative agency Studio Global braved the waves in all weathers for 20 sea dips during December
Several families supported by Julia’s House took part in the challenges, including bereaved parents Lisa and Andy Hover, who joined a section of a 70-mile hospice to hospice walk that Martin completed over two days with Poole businessman, Warren Munson. Parents Chris and Emma Jerram, accompanied by their 17-year-old son Noah who receives care from Julia’s House, joined the final stage of a 2,020 miles team distance challenge by the Salad creative agency. And parents Lisa and Julian Cox asked Martin to place a commemorative stone on a mountain during the Lake District ultra in memory of their late son Sacha, aged three.
Bournemouth-based agency Fireworx provided free marketing support and organised a golf tournament challenge, which Martin had to play in as a novice to the sport.
Take on your own challenge to support Julia’s House
Martin is hoping the 20/20 Challenges will inspire others to take on their own challenge for Julia’s House this year: “It’s been exhilarating, exhausting, but extremely worthwhile. I would like to thank each and every one of the 20/20 Challenge partners in their fantastic team effort to help the children and families in our care. With costs rising and only eight per cent of our ongoing income at Julia’s House coming from Government, the support of the local community is vital to help sustain our services. Everyone signing up for one of our challenges will be helping us to keep on caring.”
From an exhilarating sky dive to a once in a lifetime trek across The Great Wall of China, you can tick off a bucket list adventure knowing that every jump or step you take will help to bring care, joy and laughter to local children and families. Or why not take inspiration from Martin and his 20/20 Challengers and set your own individual challenge – the Julia’s House fundraising team will be on hand to support you all the way. Get in touch at community@juliashouse.org
Find out more about our challenge events at www.juliashouse.org/events
