Patrick’s incredible lockdown push-ups raise more than £700 for children’s hospice
A Bristol man’s muscle-pumping lockdown challenge is raising hundreds of pounds for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
Patrick Connolly, from St George, has pledged to do 20 push-ups or more a day until he raises £1,000 for the charity, which is asking people to ‘Be Incredible’ and do ‘whatever they can, however they can’ to help combat a loss in fundraising due to coronavirus.
Patrick, 37, started his ‘twenty21000' push-up challenge on March 25 and is set to hit 100 days of press-ups this week, raising more than £700 of his £1,000 target.
He said he took on the challenge as he was not able to go to the gym due to lockdown and wanted to put his time at home to good use for the charity, which holds a special place in his heart after he visited the Charlton Farm hospice in Wraxall last year.
Patrick has been posting daily videos of his efforts on Facebook and said he also hopes his challenge will help to promote health and fitness and the mental health benefits of exercise.
“I’ve been working at home during lockdown and thought this would be a great way to stay motivated and do something productive for a great cause,” he said.
We all take things for granted and I wanted to give something back to make lives more comfortable for the children cared for by Children’s Hospice South West.
Not content with daily push-ups, Patrick has also ran 37km and completed 710 push-ups over a five-day period to help promote the CHSW’s Virtual Rainbow Run event. Previously he has supported the charity by doing a skydive and taking on the Tough Mudder endurance event, raising more than £1,500 in total so far.
Frances Kenneally, CHSW Community Fundraiser, said: “Patrick has certainly risen to the challenge to Be Incredible with Children’s Hospice South West and help local children and local families who rely on the charity.
“He was one of the first supporters to contact us about a fundraising idea when the Covid pandemic started and it’s been so encouraging to see the creative and inspiring ideas he, and others who followed, have come up with.
“This support has been invaluable in helping to make sure that the hospice and its dedicated team can continue providing care and support to families that need it now and in the future.”
Follow Patrick’s progress on his Facebook page, or by searching #twenty21000. To make a donation and help him to reach his £1,000 target, visit his fundraising page.
To find out how you can Be Incredible to help CHSW, join the Be Incredible with Children’s Hospice South West Facebook group and find fundraising tips and ideas here.