Parks boss goes to the dogs for charity

Rosie Burry, Chairman of holiday park group Hoburne, is to slither 250km across ice and snow with a dog-sled team to raise funds for a Hampshire hospice.

On March 5, Rosie Burry, Chairman of Hoburne, the Christchurch-based holiday park group, will travel across Norway with 11 other volunteers for seven days, braving temperatures as low as -30°C, while sleeping in tented camps and log cabins.

Rosie is making the 250km dog-sledding trip across ice and snow to raise funds for the Lymington Oakhaven Hospice.

The hospice has eight beds and supports over 120 people each week suffering from life-threatening conditions, through active rehabilitation and terminal care, both at the hospice and out in the community.

Its community team make 2,500 home visits and telephone contacts each year, both through 'one to one' visits in the patient's home, and by working with local GPs and hospitals.

Oakhaven costs around £2m a year to run, yet receives only 20% of this from the government. The remainder comes from bequests, donations and from the huge efforts of fundraisers like Rosie throughout the area.

In preparation for her physically-demanding challenge, Rosie has been training for 11 months. "This expedition has been organised by Oakhaven Hospice," she says, "and I, along with the rest of the group, hope to raise as much money for the Hospice as possible.

"Oakhaven is well known to me as Lymington is my home town and Hoburne has supported it since its opening in 1992. The trip will certainly be challenging, but totally worth it as I hope to raise £8000."

The expedition will finish almost 200 miles within the Arctic Circle, will cover some breathtaking scenery, including forests and lakes, and will almost certainly be able to witness the Aurora Borealis.

There will be no hot water or electricity available throughout the trip and Rosie and the each member of the group will be responsible for feeding, caring for and harnessing their own team of three to six huskies.

To support Rosie and the hospice in the challenge, call the Oakhaven Hospice Fundraising Team on 01590 677773.
Links: www.oakhavenhospice.co.uk
www.hoburne.com