Published on: Thursday 04 Apr 2019 at 09:33
Our inspiring super-gran, Georgie, has done it again!
An 83-year-old grandmother of four from Bishop’s Stortford has raised approximately £1,400 for St Clare Hospice after jumping into the driver’s seat at a Suzuki Swift Sport Cup Rally Car Race.
Goolmohr ‘Georgie’ Cantel is an avid St Clare supporter and ‘local legend,’ taking on an annual adrenaline-based challenge in aid of the charity for the past four years.
Georgie’s latest hair-raising fundraising feat included taking to the racetrack at Langely Park Rally School in Saffron Walden on the morning of Saturday 30th March. Driving six laps, each three miles long, Georgie put ‘pedal to the metal’ in a Suzuki Swift Sport Cup rally car to raise vital funds for the Hospice.
During her five years volunteering at the Hospice, Georgie has raised almost £15,500 for us through a series of sponsored adrenaline-fuelled challenges – as well as several charity Race Night and Afternoon Tea Party events.
From a 490m zip wire flight (50m above the ground!) to scaling the O2 in London and whizzing down Stratford’s Orbit slide, Georgie’s fundraising fun has this year been topped by her latest charity challenge in aid of St Clare.
Commenting on the experience, Georgie says, “Saturday was fun and I enjoyed the experience! The sun shone, the birds sang, the wind blew gently and my son took me to the Racing School without too many instructions on how to handle the cars! When we arrived, there were many Suzuki Swift cars lined up – and I made sure I chose a red one to match with my outfit! After some safety instructions, I was helmeted (not comfortable!) and taken by rally car champion Simon to my red car, ‘Number 5’. I was strapped in and given cushions to raise me so I could see over the dashboard, and then we were off! The track was full of twists and turns, and I completed eight laps in the end. At the end, I got a certificate and Simon said, ‘well done’. This super-gran seems to be qualified to rally car race! Excitement and exhilaration? Check!”
“After the race, I was offered to do a ‘fast, hot lap’ with Tom, their Rally Car Racing Championship winner. ‘YES!’ I said! I held on tight as the car rattled, dust clouds blowing around and gravel flying about. Was my heart racing and blood pumping? Yes; it was awesome,” Georgie adds.
“It’s a lot of fun to fundraise for the Hospice in this way, but the real reason that I do it is because I know how valuable their care is to local people,” Georgie explains. “And with limited NHS funding, they need to raise around 60% of the entire cost of running the Hospice themselves.”
Georgie is a dedicated volunteer on our Inpatient Unit, tending to patients and their relatives by offering a humble cup of tea or biscuit throughout the day, as well as a listening ear and a chat. Georgie’s role also includes keeping the Unit tidy of used plates and cups, in addition to serving meals to patients in their rooms throughout the day.
“My role at St Clare means that I see first-hand the difference their care makes to those who are staying on the Inpatient Unit,” says Georgie.
“I am thrilled that I have been able to raise £1,400 for St Clare – every penny counts towards making a difference to local people who need their support. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who sponsored me and donated to the Hospice. However, my fundraising target is £1,500, and there’s still time for me to collect even more vital funding! So, if you can donate a few pounds, then please visit my fundraising page! Thank you!”
Congratulate Georgie and boost her sponsorship fundraising
If you’d like to congratulate Georgie and make a donation to the Hospice to boost her total to £1,500, please visit Georgie’s charity fundraising page at: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/GoolmohrCantel
