Willen Hospice invites you to make 2026 a year to remember
Willen Hospice is encouraging the MK community to kick-start the new year by taking on a challenge and raising vital funds for their local hospice.
The charity has some truly exciting opportunities coming up that you can join, including a trek to Machu Picchu in Peru, a group cycle from Milton Keynes to Cardiff, and the chance to run in the Chicago Marathon. Even if you’re already signed up for a challenge in 2026, you can still choose to fundraise for Willen Hospice and make every mile, step or pedal count even more.
If that all sounds a little too exhausting, why not try a sustainability challenge? Pledge to take part in Buy Nothing New Month during January and only purchase pre-loved items from the Hospice’s online and high-street shops. You’ll soon have even more choice as the Hospice opens three new shops in Stacey Bushes, Oxley Park and Brooklands.
Vannessa Ginnelly, Challenges Manager at Willen Hospice, said, “Every new year offers us a fresh start. Signing up for a challenge in January is a great way to commit to making 2026 your best year yet. This time next year, you could be saying “I did a skydive!”, “I ran a half-marathon!”, or even “I trekked to Machu Picchu!” Every pound raised helps us care for local people with a life-limiting illness and support their loved ones.”
Gary knows just how valuable that care is. His mum, Diane, was looked after by the Hospice’s Willen at Home team in 2024. This inspired Gary to commit to three epic cycle challenges in a row later this year to raise money for the Hospice. “Mum being ill was a tough time, but thanks to Willen at Home it didn’t feel quite so tough,” said Gary. “We were very well supported as a family. If Willen at Home didn’t exist, that care at home wouldn’t have been available to us. That's why I decided, even when Mum was still with us, that a fundraising challenge was something I had to do.”
Willen Hospice needs to raise a staggering £9.6 million each year to continue caring for the community completely free of charge. Taking on a challenge is a great way to make a difference while making memories too.
To explore all the challenges on offer, visit willen-hospice.org.uk/challenges