Peace Hospice event raises more than £25,000 (From Watford Observer)

'Push it for the Peace' hailed a great success as event nets £25,000

5:17pm Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter

More than 600 took part in a five-mile obstacle course in Cassiobury Park on Sunday to raise money for The Peace Hospice.

The hospice’s newest fundraising event, Push it for the Peace, involved battling through mud, water trenches, sand filled skips, tyres and trucks.

The event has raised more than £25,000 for the hospice, which needs to collect more than £3.8 million every year to keep its services going.

Hospice events manager Nicky Maxwell–Braithwaite said: "This event was an amazing success and people were so excited by it during the build-up.

"When people arrived at the park, I think they were gobsmacked with how fantastic and daunting the whole thing looked.

"We had some tough challenges on the route but our competitors got stuck in, got muddy – and loved it. We can’t wait for the event again next year."

Participants scrambled under the bridge on the River Gade and climbed over a fallen tree trunk while being doused with water from a nearby fire engine from Watford station.

Gary Sewell, from Rickmansworth took part, and said: "The whole event was really enjoyable and a lot of fun.

"People helped each other out and gave lots of encouragement on the tougher obstacles. I’d definitely do it again."

Darren Glenister and Mark Chamberlain of Bushey Bootneck Bootcamp designed the course to be fun but also to offer a challenge.

Mr Glenister said: "Across the UK, people are looking for new ways to exercise. Push it for the Peace offered people a totally new experience, very different from your average fun run."

Holywell Skips, Pioneer Scaffolding, KLS Grab Hire and Watford Tyre Brigade sponsored obstacles and Citygate Volkswagen and Aitchisons provided water and t-shirts for the participants.

Councillor Malcolm Meerabux, who marshalled the route, said: "It certainly lived up to its promise about having some fun.

"Participants were encouraged with hoses from the fire brigade, cheered on by soldiers and, most importantly, roared on by friends and family."

The Peace Hospice supports people in south west Herts with a life limiting or terminal illness, and their families. The next major fundraising event for the hospice is a Royal Gala on Friday, November 23.