Young family hit by rugby tragedy inspires charity quiz

A QUIZ hosted by a Thame fitness centre has raised £260, in aid of a charity that supports people affected by Child Bereavement.

The winning quiz team, with Quizmaster, Brian West (far right)

Nigel Pattison, a Personal Trainer at Racquets Fitness Centre, was inspired to set himself a series of challenges to support Child Bereavement UK, after seeing how the four children of Alex Wood, a local man who suffered severe brain injury in a rugby accident, cope without him.

“Whilst Alex’s children were not suffering bereavement, they suffered the loss of the father they knew,” explained Nigel. “It made me wonder just how does a child cope with bereavement? At such a young age this is not what they are supposed to cope with!  They only cope and grow with the love and strength of the family and network of friends around them. The Woods have a fantastic family around them, however not everybody does!”

Nigel loves a challenge and raising money for charities, and sets himself several every year. His latest four challenges, all to raise money for Child Bereavement UK, will be tackled over four consecutive week-ends. Just 22 days! Starting on April 26, and finishing on the May 17.

They start with running the London Marathon, followed by a 150 mile Coast-to-Coast bike ride in one day! Then Nigel and his teams will tackle the Fred Whitton cycling route covering 112 miles and 12,000 ft of climbing in the Lake District. The final challenge will be The Three Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours.

Nigel will have the support of two teams for both the C2C and The Three Peaks Challenge; Natalie Babington, Doug Struthers, Andrew Stansfield, Nick Mauger, Tom White, Natalie Littler, Sue Martin-Downhill, Louise Roffa and Ellen Gipp.

Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Every year the charity trains over 4000 professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families.

To support and contribute to Nigel’s challenges, visit Just Giving at: https://www.justgiving.com/Nigel-Pattison/