Media Release: Mum Tackles Dorset Try A Tri In Memory Of Victoria
Wednesday 6 May, 2009; Rosemary Bishop, from Bridport, will be taking on the Dorset Try a Tri event on Sunday 10 May in a bid to raise funds for Julia’s House and Action for Children, in memory of her daughter, Victoria, who worked as a Carer for Julia’s House.
Sadly, at the age of 26, Victoria was involved in a fatal car accident near Burton Bradstock in October 2007. Victoria was dedicated to caring for children and in addition to her work at Julia’s House she was also a Children’s Advocate for Action for Children.
Raising funds for the two charities seemed a fitting tribute to a special young lady, so Rosemary and her friend Suzan Barclay have been busy training for the Dorset Try a Tri since Christmas. The event, in its fifth year, will be held at St Michael’s School in Wimborne and sets competitors the task of completing a 250 metre swim followed by a 10-mile bike ride and a three mile run.
Fully supported by a host of Victoria’s family and friends, fundraising is already in full swing. If you would like to show your support for Rosemary and Suzan’s triathlon efforts and donate in memory of Victoria, simply pick up a sponsorship form at the Julia’s House shop, Beach & Barnicot, No.10, or Footprints in Bridport; or at the garage, the library, the Three Horseshoes or the Anchor Inn in Burton Bradstock. Alternatively, please contact Rosemary on 07813 152422 or Suzan on 07717 597850.
Looking ahead to her first ever triathlon, Rosemary commented: “It has been a very difficult time for all of Victoria’s friends and family. But Victoria was so dedicated to working with and helping children, we felt the best way to honour her memory would be to raise funds for the two charities she wholeheartedly supported. We are looking forward to completing the triathlon and raising some worthwhile funds in Victoria’s memory.”
Karen Dale, Director of Care at Julia’s House, added: “Victoria was a very valuable member of the team. She always went that extra mile for the families and the other carers she was working with. She is very much missed. We really appreciate the support that Rosemary and her family and friends are now giving to support our work with the children Victoria cared for.”
Further fundraising activities for Julia’s House and Action for Children are planned in honour of Victoria this summer, including a Quiz Night in June. Please contact Rosemary for further details.
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Notes to Editors
Julia’s House is Dorset’s hospice dedicated to children with life-limiting conditions. The majority of the children that it cares for are unlikely to live into adulthood (defined as beyond the age of 18). The children’s hospice complements the work of the Julia’s House Community Team, which consists of 65 nurses and carers who travel the county, providing life-changing support for families in their own homes.
In 2008 the charity provided 7,318 hours of care in the community and 5,170 hours of care at the hospice in Corfe Mullen, equating to an overall 65% increase in the care hours compared with the previous year.
It costs around £2.4m to run Julia’s House, yet the charity receives just three per cent of its total annual funding from the government. The rest of the charity’s essential income is raised through the generosity of the Dorset community, corporate partners and charitable foundations. For more information about Julia’s House, please contact 01202 607 400 or visit www.julias-house.org
Julia’s House achieved an outstanding ranking of 14th overall in the Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work For 2009 and was also awarded the maximum Three Star rating by Best Companies in 2009. This elite ‘Michelin-style’ star accreditation recognised the excellent workforce engagement and management as ‘Extraordinary’. This rating placed Julia’s House as the highest ranked organisation in Dorset and the top children’s charity in the UK.
Julia’s House Media Contact:
Emma Spearing, Hazel PR
Tel: 01202 862410 Fax: 01202 862301 Mobile: 07736 341828
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