18 Sep 2018 Community

‘It’s A Knockout’ for Kirkwood Hospice!

Kirkwood’s latest fundraiser is a ‘knockout’ success!

On a wet and rainy September morning, last Saturday saw fourteen teams of ten take to the DRAM Centre, Dalton, to compete in Kirkwood’s latest fundraising event: It’s A Knockout.

The weather wasn’t enough to dampen the spirits of the 140 budding fundraisers who joined together to have fun for a great cause, and raise thousands towards patient care at Kirkwood Hospice.

With the ultimate aim to be crowned It’s A Knockout champions, those taking part took on a set of fun-filled and wacky games and challenges; throwing themselves over giant inflatables, diving headfirst into pools of cold water and ending covered head-to-toe in foam, while family and friends cheered them on from the side-lines

Kirkwood Hospice even put forward its own team: The Hospice Heroes, made up of Kirkwood staff and their family and friends.

Crowned champions in the morning session were the Leeds Whino’s who took home the gold, closely followed by Peaky Blinders with silver and Blind Over Matter, bronze.

In the second wave, Barry’s Bombers took home the gold with Meltham Dental Care claiming silver, and The Mighty Morri’s, bronze.

 Barry's Bombers crowned champions

 

Amongst those taking part was Adie Hatfield from Team Reluctant Superheroes, and Mandy Lindley from Team Doing it for Dionne, who were taking part in this year’s event for a special reason.

Adie said: “We’ve all had friends, family or colleagues who have passed through the amazing care Kirkwood offer. We love everything Kirkwood stands for and does for anybody and everybody in need. We’re all so keen to help them go from strength to strength.”

Mandy said: “Dionne was a very active person so that’s why we wanted to take part in events like this. Dionne was also an avid fundraiser so we’re taking over in her memory. She made a joke out of everything, and that’s why we’re doing this.”

Kirkwood Hospice’s Kate Leadbeater, Business Partnership Development Manager and Event Organiser, said:

“Our fabulous fundraisers who took part in Saturday’s It’s A Knockout make us so proud. We are so grateful to everybody who came along to help, volunteer, cheer on our crowds and most importantly, take part!

“You are all absolute superstars turning up to help fundraise for Kirkwood and our patients come rain or shine. Because you care, we can care.”

"You are all absolute superstars turning up to help fundraise for Kirkwood and our patients come rain or shine. Because you care, we can care." Kate Leadbeater

Sponsorship can still be collected after the event and returned to Kirkwood Hospice. Teams are now being encouraged to carry on their fundraising to meet their team pledge of £600, and be in with a chance of winning a prize for those who raise the most!

To view a full album of photographs from the day, please visit our Facebook page.

As always, the event would not have been possible without the help of the local community. Kirkwood Hospice are indebted to: The Dram Centre, Dalton, Graham Fisher’s International It’s A Knockout LTD, The Greedy Little Pig Hog Roast Company, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, First + Medical Solutions, Morrisons Waterloo, Maughans Bakery, Envious, Paisley Properties, P. Newsome & Son, Proper Maid, Dale Bakery, Moldgreen Bakery, Paddock Pattiserie and all Kirkwood Hospice staff and volunteers.