THREE COUNTY GARAGE SERVICE ADVISORS are braving a challenge of a lifetime by taking part in the Tough Mudder.   This year a new course has been designed over 10-12 miles with 20+ obstacles, described by the organisers as an adrenaline junkie’s playground.   This full-on mud and obstacle event takes place on 20 -21 August in Cirencester and is designed to drag participants out of their comfort zone by testing their physical strength, stamina, and mental grit.

Course organisers, Merrell, always provide amazing scenery and a change to get in touch with nature but on this course participants will not have the opportunity!  Instead they will have to negotiate a mind bending combination of large grassy hills, dense dark forest and quicksand-like mud which means they will be more worried about taking their next step than the view.

Participant Michelle Hillman said, “This is a huge challenge and we don’t really know what we have let ourselves in for.  We have done some training but we will probably have wished we had done a lot more once we are at the event!  It will be the hardest team challenge we have taken part in but it will be worth it, because every penny we raise will be to raise funds for additional equipment to support local cancer patients in North Devon.”

Michelle will be joined by her work colleagues Andy Walker and Ben Street who work for the County Mazda/Renault/Dacia Garage in Barnstaple.

To rally them along, and help them raise as much as they can, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/countygarage and give them your support.

Fundraiser Julie Whitton said “They are a very brave trio taking on this awesome and exhausting team challenge.  Their fundraising will make a real difference to the lives of our patients receiving cancer treatment.”

The Seamoor Chemotherapy and Day Treatment Unit was opened to patients in April 2015 thanks to the overwhelming support from the people of North Devon who raised over £2.5million to enable the Unit to become a reality.  The hospital charity Over and Above continue to raise funds for the unit so that it can be equipped with the very best medical equipment and care to treat cancer patients in North Devon.  To find out how you can be involved visit  www.overandabove.org.uk, the charity’s Facebook page or contact the North Devon District Hospital Fundraising Team on 01271 311772 or email ndht.charity@nhs.net

Over and Above is pleased to announce that Steve Boden, Managing Director of Boden Group is to become an official Ambassador for the charity following the incredible support that he has shown over the past year.

The Boden Group has been heavily involved in fundraising for Over and Above, the charity that supports the Northern Devon Healthcare Trust to fund ‘Over and Above’ what the NHS is able to provide, in order to make a positive difference to the lives of patients, families, and healthcare staff.

Steve said: “I am really looking forward to working with Over and Above, and am honoured that they have asked me to become an ambassador for the charity.”

Ian Roome, fundraising manager said: “Steve has shown real commitment to increasing awareness and raising vital funds for the charity. He is always willing to offer advice and his passion for getting involved with helping the patients from the local communities we serve is phenomenal.”

“From match-funding totals raised by Boden employees who have taken part in Over and Above fundraising events, to sponsoring the 325 Treadmill Challenge and donating generous raffle prizes, Steve is always keen to get involved in raising funds for this local charity that does so much to support the work of the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust.”

(l-r) Julie Whitton (Fundraising Officer), Ian Roome (Fundraising Manager) and Steve Boden (Managing Director of Boden Group)

In recent months, the charity has funded numerous projects at the North Devon District Hospital, including: a £2.2m Chemotherapy and Day Treatment Unit, a £7,600 specialised trolley for the Special Care Baby Unit and an IntelliVue MP5 Observation Machine costing £5,500 to help stroke patients plus many more items and services across the whole Trust.

Steve stated: “we’re very excited to be part of Over and Above’s future and look forward to working with them to support new projects that will enhance the lives of patients, families, and staff at the North Devon District Hospital.”

A FORMER communications manager for the Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust has passed the halfway mark in his quest to walk 630 miles along the entire South West Coast Path to raise money for two local charities that support cancer patients and their families.

Jim Bray, who worked at the Trust for four years before leaving in May to take up the eight-week challenge, has raised around £6,000 so far for Over and Above and FORCE and has attracted hundreds of followers on Facebook and Twitter with his daily photo albums and updates.

Main section for Jim’s Journey

The trek, entitled Jim’s Journey, started at Minehead in Somerset on Friday 10 June and is due to finish at Poole Harbour in Dorset on Thursday 4 August.

By that time the 36-year-old will have climbed more than 115,000 feet (nearly four times the height of Mount Everest), crossed 288 bridges, caught 13 ferries, passed around 3,500 coast path signs and gone up or down over 30,000 steps.

He recently reached the South West Coast Path halfway marker at Porthallow, near Falmouth.

“It has been an amazing experience so far and some of the scenery is breathtaking,” said Jim, who lives in Sampford Peverell, near Tiverton.

“I’m particularly fond of high green cliffs, some of which are so pretty it’s as if they’ve been created by an artist or sculptor.

“There are so many things to like about the coastline and each day brings something new, whether it’s rugged cliffs, interesting rock formations, headlands that jut into the sea, golden sandy beaches, inaccessible little coves, nice harbours, birds, wildlife, colourful flora and fauna or boats of all shapes and sizes.

“The best views often mean tougher walking, whether it’s crossing deep, steep valleys, climbing hundreds of steps or clambering over rocks, but it’s all been worth it.

“I’ve got through two pairs of walking boots but have managed to stay fairly healthy apart from a sprained left foot for a few days, swollen ankles throughout one walk in North Devon, a touch of sunburn and a few aches, pains, insect bites and stings.

“Your feet do get sore at times but they’ve been feeling better of late thanks to a combination of foot cream, Paracetamol and Ibuprofen.

“I’ve also managed to stay relatively dry, apart from one or two exceptions, and it’s helped that most of the time it hasn’t been too hot.

“I’m particularly proud to have maintained a 100% record of having a full English breakfast every day and of finishing each walk with a pint or bottle of cider in a pub, cafe or hotel overlooking the sea, and taking a photo to prove it.”

Jim said his favourite memories of Somerset and North Devon were Hurlstone Point near Porlock, the Valley of Rocks near Lynton, Little Hangman near Combe Martin, Morte Point near Woolacombe, the large golden sandy beaches of Woolacombe, Saunton Sands and Westward Ho! and Hartland Point.

He said his highlights in Cornwall were the attractive high cliffs between Bude and Padstow, seeing seals at Godrevy, St Ives Bay, reaching Land’s End, visiting the Minack Theatre at Porthcurno, the Lizard Peninsula, the picturesque coastline around Polperro and catching several ferries.

You can see his daily photo albums on Facebook by searching for Jim’s Journey and his regular updates on Twitter via @Jims_Journey.

To make a donation to the two charities, visit the Virgin Money Giving website and search for Jim Bray.

The money Jim raises for Over and Above will go towards the Seamoor Unit, the new £2.5million chemotherapy and day treatment centre at North Devon District Hospital in Barnstaple.

FORCE helps cancer patients and their families across the region from its Support and Information Centre in the grounds of the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

For more information, call Jim on 07425 133606 or e-mail him at jims.journey@outlook.com.