Trustees conquer gruelling challenges to raise £3,600 for charity

TWO trustees from a Melksham-based charity have raised over £3,600 to support families of critically ill babies and children.

David Crane and Lisa Gates are trustees at Evie’s Gift, which provides immediate practical support to families of critically ill children in hospital and offers emergency financial assistance to parents.

They raised the funds by taking on two gruelling challenges: David completed three 100km ultra walking challenges, while Lisa ran two marathons back-to-back.

David’s 300km ultra walking challenge

David completed three 100km ultra-distance walks — one along the Jurassic Coast, one through the Lake District, and a final leg across the Cotswolds — all in just three weekends across May and June.

Each event required walking 100km non-stop in under 24 hours, with over 7,500 feet of elevation per route — the equivalent of climbing Ben Nevis and Snowdon back-to-back while walking an ultra-marathon.

“Despite challenging conditions, including extreme heat during the final walk, David pushed through every step with the goal of honouring Evie’s memory and helping parents stay close to their seriously ill children,” explained charity manager Jess Hilsdon.

Lisa’s dual marathon challenge

Lisa took on her own test of endurance by running the Boston Marathon on 21st April, then the London Marathon just six days later.

Jess said, “This back-to-back feat demanded not only physical resilience but deep emotional strength, driven by her unwavering commitment to the cause.”

Evie’s Gift was founded in memory of local girl Evie Clover, who died in 2018 after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour at the age of 13. During Evie’s treatment, her parents experienced firsthand the emotional and logistical challenges families face when their child becomes critically ill — particularly when no hospital-affiliated accommodation is available, forcing parents to find and fund a place to stay far from home while trying to remain close to their child.

In response, they established Evie’s Gift to offer emergency support to others, covering accommodation, travel, and essential needs — ensuring parents can remain by their child’s side without the added strain of financial hardship.

“We may not be athletes,” said David and Lisa, “but we were determined to give everything we’ve got for families who are living through the unthinkable. Evie’s legacy continues through every step, every mile, and every donation.”

As a small charity, Evie’s Gift faces enormous fundraising pressures to continue the work they do. Public donations are essential to maintain their support, especially as more families across the UK turn to them for help.

To support the charity or learn more about their mission, visit: www.eviesgift.org.uk

Pictured: David and Lisa