At the beginning of the first lockdown in March 2020, Twickenham resident and fashion business owner Dana decided to take on a one-year press up challenge, which started with one press up on day one, two press ups on day two, rising to 365 press ups on the last day of the year-long challenge. On 21 March 2021, Dana completed the incredible fundraiser with a total of 66,795 press ups.
“It was the beginning of lockdown, and I wanted to raise money to support local frontline NHS workers,” Dana recounted. Inspired by the efforts of staff at Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex University Hospitals, Dana chose to support our COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund with her challenge. Friends Amy and Joe from Blitz Gym in Twickenham joined Dana in the year-long challenge, with the whole gym community supporting their efforts to keep fit while gyms are closed and support NHS staff.
CW+ Fundraising Director Kerry Huntington said: “We’ve been amazed to see this epic year-long challenge unfold, and are so thankful for the support. This past year has been incredibly tough for our staff, and the efforts of people like Dana have been crucial to provide support for staff with supplies and equipment, as well as offering a boost for staff morale.”
Dana and her team finished their challenge on 21 March 2021, smashing their target of £5,000 and raising over £6,400 for our COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, enabling us to continue to provide essential health and wellbeing support for our staff during and after the pandemic, including counselling and mental health support, wellbeing hubs at our hospitals, and online exercise and mindfulness classes. “It’s been great knowing that we’re doing something helpful towards the pandemic response,” Dana said as she reached the end of her challenge, “Even though it’s a tiny thing in the grand scheme of things, and we have sore shoulders, it feels good!”
Find out more about our COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, how to donate, and more info about fundraising for us.
© 2023