New Year, new you, new challenge!

As we head into 2025, we know many people like to take on a New Year challenge; be that to help improve fitness, learn a new skill or to push them out of their comfort zone. Here at the Hospice, we have plenty of challenges to get your teeth stuck into, if that sounds like you!

Not only could you trying something new or exciting, but you could raise vital funds for Dorothy House in the process. When you take on a challenge in support of the Hospice, we will be with you every step of the way. From advice about fundraising, to providing you with a running vest or t-shirt, you will have a dedicated contact from within the team.

So, time to find the New Year challenge to suit you…

Freezing for funds – Ice Bath Challenge 2025

Returning for 2025, is our fantastic Ice Bath Challenge; the coldest activity on the list! You will be supported to learn the Wim Hof breathing method, before taking a dip of two minutes in the freezing ice water.

Ice baths have become all the rage, with people buying their own baths for home use, so if you are interested in learning about and experiencing the health benefits before ‘taking the plunge’ and buying your own, then this is the challenge for you.

The Ice Bath Challenge takes place on Friday, 7 February, costs £30 to enter, and we ask that you raise a minimum of £300 sponsorship.

High above the Royal Crescent – Bath City Zipline

A brand new event for 2025 sees Dorothy House descending on the Royal Crescent Lower Lawn for a weekend to remember! This amazing event offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience a never before seen view of Bath.

You will be given a full safety briefing before being taken to the crane, lifted to the top of the wire, being attached and whizzing down. For those scared of heights, how better to conquer your fears?

Bath City Zipline takes place on Friday 28 February, Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 March 2025, costs £35 to register and we ask that participants raise a minimum of £150 sponsorship.

Get those running shoes on – Bath Half Marathon, London Marathon and Frome Running Festival

It might be a bit cliché to take up running for the New Year, but with all the health benefits, an incredible and welcoming community of runners already out there, and the chance to raise some money for the Hospice, we think it’s a pretty awesome thing to do!

All of our charity bond places for the 2025 Bath Half Marathon and London Marathon are now full, but if you or anyone you know has their own independent place for these races and would like to run in support of Dorothy House, then please get in touch.

Frome Running Festival will be returning this August and with 5K, 10K and half marathon distances, so this event is perfect for whatever level of experience of running you have. It also gives you plenty of time to train for whatever distance might be a challenge for you!

The Frome Running Festival takes place on Sunday, 17 August 2025. Keep an eye on our calendar of events for more information about getting involved.

Set your sights on oversees – Trek Machu Picchu 2026

And now for the big one! After the success of Trek Nepal in 2022 and Trek Vietnam in 2024, we’re pleased to be taking on one of the biggest and most impressive international treks; Peru, to visit the incredible Machu Picchu!

As part of the trip, you will participate in a local community project in Cusco, before setting out along the Salkantay trail for 5 days of trekking, including reaching the incredible heights of 4,630m above sea level. The whole trip will end with an early morning ascent to Machu Picchu; one of the most spectacular sights in the world!

Trek Machu Picchu 2026 runs from Saturday, 18 April to Tuesday, 28 April 2026, costs £495 to register and you must raise a minimum of £5,900, although other payment and fundraising options are available.

Why support Dorothy House?

Hospices are facing unprecedented financial challenges across the UK, closing beds and struggling to fund their core services. Despite our best efforts and the incredible support of our communities, Dorothy House is not immune to this. Rising costs, a National Insurance hike and stagnant government funding which only covers 20% of our total costs, are having a major impact on our financial sustainability. Taking on one of our fantastic challenges will help us to protect our core services, or alternatively, please donate here.

If there is any other kind of challenge you’d like to take on, then we are happy to support you, be it skydiving, cycling, walking or something else, we’d love to hear from you. If challenges aren’t your thing, there are lots of other ways to get involved with the Hospice.