9 Aug 2024 Community

Sam Earnshaw saddles up for The Kirkwood in Olympic relay baton event

The Kirkwood always loves to hear from those people that are fundraising for us and taking on a challenge in the name of The Kirkwood to raise funds to help us Support Life. 

Sam Earnshaw has been involved in a special event this year. Whilst working for NatWest Bank the business ran a Team GB Baton Relay. Celebrating the group's partnership with Team GB whilst at the Olympics. 

Along with nearly 300 colleagues, Sam participated in the NatWest Team GB Baton Relay. This event saw Sam and her colleagues touring the UK with a Team GB baton. The relay included 24 stages and covered over 1,000 miles from Inverness to Folkestone via the NatWest offices all over the country in-between the two destinations.

Sam took part in the relay with her stage taking place on the 6th June where the baton was passed to the equestrian team. 

Sam and her horse Freddie rode through the outskirts of Huddersfield for around 5.5 miles where the baton was then passed onto to a team of cyclists to continue the journey.

As well as taking part in the event Sam used the opportunity to raise funds for The Kirkwood and raised over £500 for our charity which was matched by NatWest taking her total to over £1,000. Sam was proud of her efforts and raised the money in memory of her brother Alva who we cared for in 2021. 

Speaking about why she wanted to raise funds for The Kirkwood she said: “My brother Alva was terminally ill with cancer and he died on 29th November 2021 at The age of 54. The Kirkwood helped to care for him however his stay on the In-Patient Unit was short. 

“He was a strong willed man and wanted to end his days at home surrounded by his family, including his wife (Kelly Rowe) and children (Alva Rowe Junior, Antonio Rowe and Autumn Rowe). The Kirkwood continued to support Alva at home until his death. 

“I feel it's always important to support your local charities, especially those that provide the best care and support for those terminally ill and at the end of their life. It's such a terrible time for families, so having someone where your loved ones can go to get expert care is really important.” 

On doing her challenge Sam added: “I work for the NatWest Group. As one of the sponsors of Team GB I participated in the Olympics inspired NatWest Group baton relay where nearly 300 colleagues took part and covered over 1,000 miles across the UK in 24 stages. 

“Colleagues ran, cycled, rowed, walked, swam and rode horses! I was part of the equestrian team. When the relay came to Huddersfield, myself and three other colleagues rode through the rolling hills of Huddersfield to pass the baton onto a team of cyclists.  

“The ride was around 2 hours. I used to ride when I was younger, but had not been on a horse for over 10 years. So you can imagine the shock to my legs getting on and off the horse. 

“I rode a horse called Freddie, one of the biggest horses in the group. The ride was great fun, but challenging at times, but I reminded myself why I was doing this and dug deep. It was great to get to the finish line where my husband Darren and some friends were waiting for me.” 

On her challenge and the funds she has raised our community fundraiser Judith Ambler said: “It was great to receive over £500 from Sam. It was a quirky event and she got really into the Olympic spirit. The funds she has raised will make a huge difference in us being able to care and support those people living with a life limiting illness across Kirklees.”