Prospect fundraiser plans to run four miles every four hours for two days

Seasoned charity fundraiser Aurélie Soulier has announced a series of gruelling physical challenges in aid of Prospect Hospice in May.

They include the fearsome Goggins Challenge, whose participants must run four miles every four hours for two days, covering a total of 48 miles.

Aurélie, 43, will raise funds on honour of her late friend, Judith, who passed away suddenly from leukaemia in December 2020.

The fundraiser's previous efforts have included a 78-mile walk across Wiltshire in three days in 2022 which raised over £1,000, and a trek in Iceland with Prospect Hospice, raising over £3,000.

In addition to the Goggins Challenge, Aurelie will take on the 20-mile Marlborough Downs Challenge, a Sprit Triathlon at Royal Wootton Bassett, a 10km sunset run at Barbury Castle and Swindon's Longevity Games.

Aurelie said: "Judith loved walking and was a Duke of Edinburgh's Award leader. I couldn't attend her funeral due to lockdown, so I wanted to honour her life and do something she would be proud of.

"Prospect Hospice supported her family in her final days, and I wanted to express my gratitude."

The Goggins Challenge is a key part of Aurélie’s preparation for yet more challenges later on in the year.

She said: “Two weeks after the May challenges, I’ll be doing Endure 24, a 24-hour team event. Then, in July I’ll be doing the Race to the Stones - 100 km from the Chilterns to Avebury along The Ridgeway. I’ve done this before in 29 hours walking, however this time I want to smash that time and run!"

For the Goggins Challenge, Aurélie will start at 5pm on Friday 23 May and run every four hours for 48 hours - 5pm, 9pm 1am, 5am, 9am and 1pm the next day - following the same route near the Orbital Shopping Park. She invites others to join her for each hourly start. On the Saturday morning, she will participate in the Seven Fields parkrun and encourages others to join her for an additional mile afterward.

She said: "I want to raise awareness of the opportunities available locally for people to get moving and improve their health.

"These challenges are about pushing my limits and raising money for Prospect Hospice - a place that has touched so many families in Swindon."

Aurélie aims to raise £600 - enough to fund 24 hours of care for a patient on the Prospect Hospice ward. "Knowing how difficult funding is, I want to give back while challenging myself. It's crazy, but I need to do this!"

Aurélie also hinted at even bigger plans for next year.

To support her fundraising efforts, people can visit Aurélie Soulier is fundraising for Prospect Hospice.

People inspired by Aurélie’s story and wanting to challenge to challenge themselves are invited to sign up for the Prospect Hospice Challenge 45 event, which marks Prospect’s 45th birthday and 45 years of outstanding free care in the community! Details can be found here.