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Coronavirus Kent: Abigail's Footsteps, The Wisdom Hospice and the Macular Society impacted by Covid-19 pandemic

Charities across Medway have started planning in case fundraising events are cancelled due to coronavirus.

Abigail's Footsteps, a Chatham based charity, The Wisdom Hospice in Rochester and the launch of the Macular society in Chatham have been effected by the pandemic.

Abigail's Footsteps are preparing for the race to be cancelled. Picture: Chris Davey
Abigail's Footsteps are preparing for the race to be cancelled. Picture: Chris Davey

Abigail's Footsteps, launched by David and Jo Ward after the death of their daughter, has 20 runners taking part in the London Landmark's Half Marathon (LLHM) alongside it's mascot which was revealed on February 29.

However, with the outbreak of Covid-19 it is now putting together measures to deal with the possible cancellation of the event.

It is the Medway Messenger's Charity of the Year which provides support and counselling for bereaved parents as well as specialist training for midwives and healthcare professionals following the loss of a baby.

The charity's fundraising and events manager Becky Hopkins said: "We hope it would be able to be postponed and the race could take place later on in the year so our runners would still be able to fulfil their training.

Seven people have tested positive for covid-19 in Kent
Seven people have tested positive for covid-19 in Kent

"For many reasons, completing the half marathon means a lot to people, they have worked hard and they want to do it for all the support they have received."

In a post on their website, the LLHM have said they are monitoring the situation carefully and the event is still planned to go ahead.

She continued: "If the race is cancelled what we are thinking of doing is just saying to every runner if they would want to go out and effectively do the race where they live.

"Wear their shirt, take some selfies and complete the run on their own and track the distance.

"It does feel a bit sad because we would be doing the run on our own rather than all together, but at least they will still have that sense of pride.

It is the Medway Messenger's charity of the year
It is the Medway Messenger's charity of the year

The Friends of the Wisdom Hospice in High Bank, Rochester have also been preparing for the potential cancellation of vital fundraisers.

It is a charity that supports the Wisdom Hospice by providing specialised end of life care and support to local people, their families, friends and carers involved with the hospice.

Chief executive of the friends Martyn Reeves said: "We are making decisions daily and the most important thing we are worried about is the safety of all of our supporters and staff.

The next fundraiser the Friends have planned is a colour run on the April 26 which falls on the same day as the London Marathon.

Martyn continued: "If the marathon gets called off we will have to pull the colour run.

Competitors ran to raise money for the Wisdom Hospice whilst being pelted with coloured dyes at last year's event. Picture: Phil Lee
Competitors ran to raise money for the Wisdom Hospice whilst being pelted with coloured dyes at last year's event. Picture: Phil Lee

"Of course it will effect the funding for the event if it is cancelled, but we have reserves specifically for this eventuality, we are a sensible charity and hopefully we will not have to call on those reserves.

"Everything we do is to support the hospice, and that is the most important thing along with the safety of our supporters, who are absolutely fantastic.

"We have got other events coming up which we will deal with event by event."

The Friends of Wisdom Hospice are also preparing to host Mercury, a Queen tribute band, on June 5.

Events across the country have been cancelled due to the outbreak. Stock Picture
Events across the country have been cancelled due to the outbreak. Stock Picture

The Macular Society, an organisation who strive to find a cure for macular disease which is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK, were planning to launch a Medway based support group on March 25.

The group was set to meet at the Medway Council offices to offer information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by the disease and other forms of sight loss.

However, due to the coronavirus outbreak the grand launch has now been postponed.

Spokesperson for the charity Andrew Gray said: "Please note that the launch of the new Medway Macular Society Support Group has been postponed temporarily due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.

"A new date will be announced in due course – we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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