The son of a well-known teaching couple is set to get filthy for The Hospice of St Francis to thank the charity for giving him positive memories of his father’s final days.
Jack Doodson, from Friar’s Walk, Tring, is preparing to tackle the Hospice’s third Mud Pack Challenge on Sunday 23rd October in memory of his late father, Roger, and the 23-year-old sports graduate has already raised over £500 in sponsorship.
“I’m really looking forward to getting absolutely soaked and soggy,” said Jack, a teaching assistant and games coach at Lockers Park School in Hemel Hempstead, where his dad taught PE for 10 years.
“It looks like such good fun and I just wanted to do something for the Hospice, which has played such a big part in my life in recent years and has helped me and my family to make unthinkably hard times that much easier.
“Dad was admitted to the Hospice in June 2013 at the age of 64 and although he was only there for a couple of days, it allowed us to have precious time together as a family, they made him comfortable and one of the lasting memories I have before dad died and after he passed is of the double doors of his room opening onto the beautiful gardens. It was sunny outside and it really was as nice as it could have been.
“The moment we walked through the doors, it was like an enormous weight had been lifted off our shoulders and they have continued to stay in touch and care about our welfare.”
Promising lots of muddy fun, more than 650 Mud Packers have already signed up to swing, jump, climb and wade their way through the adrenalin-fuelled five or 10-mile obstacle course in the stunning 190-acre grounds and woodland of Ashridge House. This year will feature fantastic new obstacles, including giant super slides and tunnels.
Jack is hoping to raise £800 so that other families can benefit from that same care that his dad and his family received. To sponsor him, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jack-Doodson84
Team-mates Dan Turbutt, 23, from Chiltern Park Avenue, Berkhamsted, Holly Worthington, 23, from Horseshoe Lane, Watford, and Jade Fisher, 24, from New Park Drive, Adeyfield, will be joining Jack.
The event is suitable for all abilities – all you need is a pair of trainers and a sense of fun but with just two weeks left to go to sign up and places limited, don’t delay, get your pack together and secure your place today at www.stfrancis.org.uk/mudpack
Registration costs £35 and participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £50 to help the Hospice raise the £5.3m it needs every year to fund its free care for people living with life-limiting illness – 80% of which it relies on from voluntary donations.