Gayle Jones from Leeswood is heading a 24-hour charity distance relay for Nightingale House Hospice, in memory of her late husband, Mark Evans, who passed away in 2018 from an aggressive brain tumour.
Farm Fit Club
The event, taking place on Saturday, 19th July, at Farm Fit Club in Mold, will see dozens of members of the not-for-profit gym take on a relay of functional exercises every hour, starting and ending with a group 5 km run to Mold town centre. The goal is to cover the 45,062 metre (28 mile) round trip from the gym, located on Mold Denbigh Road, to the hospice where Mark spent his final days as many times as possible in one day.
Mark, a devoted husband, passed away aged just 48 on 17th December 2018 after receiving a diagnosis of glioblastoma following a stroke in January earlier that year. Gayle, who became his full-time carer during his illness, describes Nightingale House as a lifeline during the most painful chapter of her life.
“The Nurses Were Incredible”
She said: “I will never be able to give back to Nightingale what they gave to me. The nurses were incredible and provided Mark with the best care during his final three weeks there. But they also looked after me. We spent a total of six weeks there, following a 26-week absence. When Mark arrived at the hospice in November, the nurses set up a bed next to him so we could be together. They took all the caring responsibilities away, and I felt like his wife again, not just his carer. That meant the world to me.”
Gayle, a committed member of Farm Fit Club, is the driving force behind the event. The gym, a social enterprise focused on improving mental and physical health through connection and community, immediately rallied behind her idea.
Participants will take turns using a range of exercise equipment, from rowing machines and ski ergs to burpee broad jumps and sledge pushes, collectively covering 1,900 metres per hour over the 24-hour challenge. The inclusive approach means that people of all fitness levels can take part. Gayle added that Mark would be “blown away” by the community’s efforts.
“We’re All About Community”
Robin Jones, farmer and founder of the Farm Gym, said this type of event aligns perfectly with the organisation’s values. He added: “We want to make sure anyone can join in, whether it’s cycling, rowing, burpees, or pushing a sled. It’s not about individual strength; it’s about all of us coming together. We’re all about community and lifting each other. It’s so amazing to see so many people sign up to support Gayle with this special idea.”
The original fundraiser Gayle planned in 2020 didn’t happen due to the pandemic. However, now, with the support of her Farm Fit family, she’s more determined than ever to honour Mark’s memory and give back to the hospice that gave her comfort in the darkest of times.
Community members are welcome to take part, donate, or support by providing refreshments for the participants. To donate, sign up, or offer support, visit https://gofund.me/e7b9a769.
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