A hospice charity is holding its first virtual fundraising event after lockdown after reopening the first of its shops.

The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice (FOWH) usually holds several events throughout the year to raise cash for the Rochester hospice.

Social distancing and the Covid-19 lockdown has forced the charity to abandon its cash-raising efforts in public spaces so far with bosses estimating the pandemic has cost the Friends £50,000 a month.

Chief executive Martyn Reeves said the Friends shop in Chatham reopened last Thursday with the outlets in Rochester and Sittingbourne also due to reopen in the coming weeks.

But the charity has now launched its first major fundraising event since the virus hit.

Although social distancing has been reduced to the one-metre plus rule, announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday, FOWH says it can still not safely organise fundraising events in public.

Usually in June, the charity would host a moonlit wander around Rochester called Wander with Wisdom.

But instead this year, FOWH is launching its new Virtual Wander with Wisdom Challenge.

Event organiser Clare Morris said: "We know it will not be the same as normal but, we are having to look for a new normal. We do not want you to miss out on the chance of walking in memory of someone you love.

"So why not join us, you can do virtually anything: run, walk, jog, skip, cycle, scoot, space hop fundraising in your own innovative way.

"This is a great way for friends and families to safely come together and take on our challenge."

The wander normally takes place over a distance of 10km or 10,000 steps.

Clare added: "But why stop there you could keep going. Why not virtually keep going round your community or any of the communities across Medway and Swale that the Hospice supports?

"This is a great way for friends and families to safely come together and take on our challenge."

"We may not be with you physically in your challenge, but we will be with you virtually.

"Keep us updated with your progress and we will keep you motivated with messages of encouragement.

"Look out for our roadside banners which will be at six locations around Medway and Swale and maybe take a selfie near one and send it to us.”

Mr Reeves previously spoke about how the charity has missed out on a £200 million government support grant for the hospice sector due to the way the facility is structured.

Last year, the charity raised £670,000 to support the £4.5m service which is mostly funded by the NHS to Medway Community Healthcare (MCH).

MCH, an independent community interest company, bids to the Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for government funding to run hospice care.

FOWH raises the extra cash to top up the NHS funding for the service.

Joining the fundraiser will help the charity raise vital cash to support hospice patients in Medway and Swale and their families.

Sign up costs £10 for adults and children under 16 £7 with a medal issued for taking part. No minimum sponsorship is required but rewards will be given to those passing £250 and £500 sponsorship.

Full details and how to join at www.fowh.org.uk

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