Friends join forces to tackle charity challenge

Fiona (left) and Sonia (right) prepare for their challenge.

Two friends have joined forces to take on the challenge of a lifetime and help raise funds to support a local charity.

Sonia Watson and Fiona Hollands, both from Twyford, heard about Winchester Hospice’s Camino trek independently through local fitness classes and, by chance, discovered it was a challenge that appealed to them both.

Trail walking is something that interests the pair, having walked parts of the South West Coast Path and taking on the Camino has interested them for some time. When they saw the opportunity, they jumped at the chance to join the team.

“I find walking incredibly therapeutic and relaxing, once you get into the rhythm of it,” says Sonia. “Walking all day is always a good day and conquering the iconic Camino will be very rewarding.

“Whilst I love walking, training for the steep terrain and long days will be good encouragement for me to get out and do more.  I’m heading into retirement and, with the children fully grown and not needing me as much, keeping fit in later life is a good thing to focus on. And doing it to support such a good cause is great motivation.”

The challenge may be a year away, but the pair has already begun training, by following their existing walking patterns and trying to increase the number of days they head out. As their training progresses, they plan to increase their distances and cover different terrain in preparation, exploring the New Forest, Purbeck Hills and the South Downs.

Their friendship was formed when they met whilst volunteering for the NHS during lockdown in 2020 and, while neither Sonia or Fiona has personal experience of the care provided by the hospice, both know a number of families who have benefitted. “The hospice is well known and universally admired and appreciated in the Winchester area, and this is key for our fundraising. There is no other local charity we would be happier to support right now, and we’re excited to commit to this adventure for them,” said Fiona.

The pair are each self-funding the trip and hoping to raise as much money as possible to support the hospice. They’ve already hosted a sold-out yoga session in the hospice garden and have a Pilates session planned for September. A range of other fundraising events are also in the pipeline.

Jo Westerman, fundraising officer at Winchester Hospice, said; “It costs £7,500 to fund the care of all our patients, both at the hospice and in our community, for an entire day. While we’re proud to be an NHS hospice, the local budget doesn’t stretch far enough to be able to provide all our services and we rely on the strong support of our community to help us bridge the gap to be able to supply hospice care to all those who need it.

“Having people like Sonia and Fiona go to so much effort for us to help raise these important funds is incredible. I want to thank them both for all the energy and enthusiasm they’re putting into their fundraising for us.”

The Camino trek takes place in September 2026 and will see a group of hospice supporters cover over 100km in five days. This well walked pilgrimage will take supporters through some stunning areas of Spanish countryside before arriving at the famous Santiago de Compostela cathedral. They’ll then gather together to enjoy a farewell meal with the team before returning to the UK.

The charity still has a few places available on the team and anyone wishing to know more can find all the information via the button below or contact the charity’s fundraising team via winchester.hospice@hhft.nhs.uk.