With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games now in full swing, Isabel Hospice is inviting the Hertfordshire community to join in the excitement with a unique twist.
The Isabel Games, a virtual fundraising event, hopes to bring the spirit of the Olympics to eastern Hertfordshire while raising crucial funds for the Welwyn Garden City-based hospice.
The event, which started on July 26 and runs until August 11, encourages participants to choose their preferred sport and complete a daily challenge for the two-week period.
Whether it's walking 5,000 steps or doing 20 minutes of seated exercises, the goal is to stay active and engage in friendly competition, all while supporting Isabel Hospice.
Once signed up, participants are invited to join The Isabel Games Facebook group, where they can share their progress and receive tips and encouragement from fellow participants and athletes.
The event aims to foster a sense of community and mutual support as everyone works towards a common goal.
Adding to the excitement, the top three fundraisers will be awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals.
Isabel Hospice fundraising coordinator Bailey Robinson said: “The Isabel Games are a chance not only to contribute to a great cause but also to achieve personal fitness goals and earn recognition for your efforts.”
Gillian O’Gorman, a Team GB age group triathlete and dedicated Isabel Hospice volunteer, serves as the ambassador for The Isabel Games.
With her extensive experience in competitive triathlons and fundraising, Gillian is eager to inspire and support participants throughout the event.
Gillian O’Gorman, Team GB Age Group Triathlete and Isabel Hospice volunteer fundraiser (Image: Isabel Hospice)
Sharing her personal journey into the world of triathlons, Gillian said: "As a child, I was pretty sporty and specialised in swimming.
"Later in life, after my sister Fiona was very sadly diagnosed with terminal cancer and received incredible care from her local hospice, I felt compelled to give back.
"Fiona ran triathlons, and even though I had never done one before, fundraising for the hospice through a triathlon seemed like the perfect fit.
"The training helped me cope with my loss, and to my surprise, I started to enjoy it. We raised £16,000 for the hospice during our first triathlon, and the experience was so fulfilling that I continued.
"I eventually qualified for the GB Age Group team and now compete in both Olympic and Sprint distance triathlons.
"There is a lot of training but balancing the three sports keeps it exciting and manageable."
Isabel Hospice provides essential palliative care and support for patients and families across eastern Hertfordshire, ensuring comfort and dignity for those facing life-limiting illnesses.
The funds raised through The Isabel Games will help the hospice continue its vital work in the community.
Do you have what it takes to go for gold?
To join The Isabel Games and make a difference while embracing the Olympic spirit visit isabelhospice.org.uk/TheIsabelGames/ or call the Isabel Hospice Events Team on 01707 954 850.
About Isabel Hospice
Isabel Hospice has been providing free palliative care to its patients and their families since 1982.
It provides support and care to people in eastern Hertfordshire who are affected by life-limiting illnesses through its Community Care Team of Clinical Nurse Specialists and Hospice at Home service, In-Patient Unit, Living Well with Isabel hub, and its Family and Bereavement support service.
Isabel’s clinical teams work closely with other healthcare providers in the area, including care homes, hospitals and GP surgeries, improving access to services and sharing knowledge and expertise.
Isabel’s services are free of charge to those who need them, but they are not without cost, meaning nearly £7 million must be raised each year to guarantee the future of care for eastern Hertfordshire.
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