Roy Godwin will tackle the Sahara desert for the benefit of a pediatric intensive care unit
A local gardener has taken on a grueling trek through a desert to raise money for a charity dedicated to caring for sick and terminally ill children.
Roy Godwin, Assistant Head Gardener at Sculpture by the Lakes, has pledged to walk 100km through North Africa’s Sahara Desert – the world’s largest hot desert covering 9,200,000 square kilometres.
Taking on the challenge over five days in November, Roy raises funds and awareness for ‘Friends pf PICU’, a charity dedicated to caring for sick and terminally ill children in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University. Southampton Hospital.
The charity is incredibly close to Roy’s heart after the pediatric team at Southampton Hospital treated his niece and goddaughter, Esmee Godwin, in 2007 after she fell ill with what was at the hospital. originally considered a bad strain of chickenpox.
Esmee then developed double pneumonia in both lungs, in addition to a severe blood infection and a destroyed immune system. Sadly, after a courageous battle for nearly three weeks, Esmee passed away at the age of two.
Roy said: “The Friends of USIP and all the staff at Southampton Hospital are working incredibly hard around the clock to help sick and terminally ill children. I’m so proud of this hospital and the local community that cares for our children, and it’s a privilege for me to help out in some way.
Roy receives donations via a dedicated JustGiving page, and with the help of corporate sponsors Sculpture by the Lakes, Cahill Motor Services, Henryettas Hooks and Lyons Gate Gardening Services with fantastic support from the wider community, Roy has so far present raised £4,250.
With additional support from local gym Anytime Fitness Dorchester, Roy is currently training hard for his next event and is determined to raise as much money as possible for the cause.
Roy added: “When a child’s life is saved, you have not saved a life, but also the lives of parents, family members and loved ones who are connected to that life.”
If you would like to learn more about Roy’s charity challenge and his motivation for this event, or if you would like to sponsor, you can visit the charity link at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/roy-godwin