Christmas Day marathon planned by Upper Beeding couple for Worthing hospice

Helen Trott and Matt Grant will be setting off at 8am tomorrow for a walk that will take them over the South Downs Way, journeying from Arundel to Upper Beeding.

Helen, 26, said it was an easy decision to make, forgoing a relaxing day at home for lacing up her walking boots and stepping out to support the hospice and honour the doctors and nurses who will be working on Christmas Day.

She explained: “This year has been hard for a lot of people and I know charities have suffered with cancelled events and shops being closed, so I wanted to do something big to raise money for St Barnabas House, who have been there for close friends and family during devastating times, including my nan and my best friend’s mum.

“I love the outdoors and I thought a marathon-length walk might be a good challenge that I can do locally. I was planning to do it alone but my partner, Matt, said he would like to spend the day with me, so he’s been breaking in his new walking boots.”

Matt, 26, a personal trainer at South Coast Gym in Upper Beeding, and Helen agreed that rather than giving and receiving presents this year, they would focus their time and effort on raising enough to reach their goal of £1,000 - and have in fact already passed £1,150.

Helen, who works at The Rising Sun in Upper Beeding, set up the Helen’s Rubbish Facebook page, where she collects and recycles unwanted clothes, plastics and more for charity.

She said Christmas had become ‘an excuse to buy excessively and waste excessively’, which was why she had chosen to do something completely different this year and give back to a local charity at the same time. She does enjoy Christmas dinner, though, and is looking forward to being with family in her Christmas bubble.

Helen said: “We’re hoping it’s nice weather so we can complete the challenge in eight hours, finishing the walk at my mum’s house in time for a steaming hot bath, comfy pyjamas, roast dinner and a few gins… in that order.”

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/helenandmattschristmasmarathon for more information.

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