Banbury-based mortgage advisers, Higham Critchley Barrows, have been actively supporting Katharine House Hospice since 2019 and, during that time, they have raised nearly £16,000 for the hospice.

Dale Higham, Peter Critchley and David Barrows love a challenge, which is why the fundraising team have named them as our official ‘Challenge Champions!’.

It all began back on a cold December morning at Wykham Park in December 2019 when Dale, Peter and David donned their Santa suits and took part in the Katharine House Santa Fun Run. They enjoyed it so much, that they took part again in 2021 and 2022.

In October 2020, Peter took part in a wing walk held in Cirencester, which was arranged by the hospice and, as if that wasn’t enough, later that month Peter and David did a half marathon. They organised the run, which started and ended at the hospice, as the official Oxford Half Marathon had been cancelled due to the covid pandemic.

Despite taking part in their own half marathon, they both turned up to the official Oxford Half Marathon the following year on 17 October 2021 and took part in the 13-mile run to raise even more funds for our hospice.

The impact the hospice can make

David Barrows said, "I support the hospice in memory of my father, who sadly died in 2010 in the hospice. He received excellent palliative care and it enabled my mother and me to spend time with him in comfort during his last weeks of life. It was amazing for my mother, when Dad’s time was close, to be able to be with him in a clean, friendly room, in the same bed together, which I know will have comforted his passing."

Not content to stick to running

In 2022, Peter wanted to take it to another level and try something different. In May of that year, he took part in an independent skydive and the Katharine House Extreme Abseil. The abseil really is extreme, as participants abseil down the staggering 418 feet Northampton Lift Tower, the largest abseil tower in the world!

Peter commented: "I have taken part in many fundraising activities to support the hospice, but the extreme abseil was by far the hardest and most definitely a challenge! However, I would encourage anyone to have a go, it’s definitely one to tick off the bucket list." However, in 2023 Peter was back to what he does best and took part in his very first marathon in Milton Keynes and raised over £1,600 with Gift Aid.  

Sponsoring hospice events

In the summer of 2022, still wanting to be involved with supporting the hospice but take a break from the extreme challenges, Higham Critchley Barrows sponsored mile 7 of the Moonlight Walk.

Dressed up as characters from the Ghostbusters movie, to tie in with the 80s' theme, Dale, Peter and David volunteered as marshals outside their office on South Bar Street in Banbury. Dale said: "It was nice to still be involved with the event but see things from a different perspective, as we are usually the ones participating. We haven’t been involved with the Moonlight Walk before!"

The following year, the team, joined by new recruit Scott, sponsored mile 7 again and dressed up as characters from the Wizard of Oz. Music from the iconic film could be heard down South Bar Street while Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion guided the Moonlight Walkers down the yellow brick road.  

All the staff at the hospice are extremely grateful for all the support we receive from Higham Critchley Barrows and we look forward to continue working with them for years to come! 

To find out more about Higham Critchley Barrows please visit their website: Mortgage advice in Banbury with Higham Critchley Barrows (hcbmortgages.co.uk)

How you can support Katharine House Hospice

Taking part in challenges and events as a team or as part of a business is a fantastic way to raise funds for the hospice. It promotes teamwork, healthy competition, fitness and it’s also a great way to tick something off that bucket list.

To find out more about our challenges, visit our Events page or contact our fundraising team at [email protected].

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