The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice CEO, Rhona Baillie has decided to #GoGold for Glasgow’s Hospice by taking on the ultimate challenge of climbing not one but two Munros during 2021.

Rhona, 59 from Strathaven, is tackling her first Munro with her Romanian rescue dog Harriet as companion and will be raising vital funds for the hospice in the process.

Rhona explains: “Since we launched the #GoGold campaign at the beginning of the year we have been encouraging the people of Glasgow to take on a challenge and help raise vital funds for the hospice. I’m a firm believer in not asking anyone to do something you wouldn’t be prepared to do yourself. So, I’ve set myself this challenge and with restrictions on travel easing I thought this would be the perfect time to get in training and start getting sponsorship for climbing my first Munro.

“I am so proud of the care we provide at the hospice. I’ve been chief executive here for 15 years and every day I see the impact of the care our staff provide on patients and their families. Hospice staff provide compassionate care to terminally ill patients and their families both in the hospice and in patients’ homes. This vital service costs more than £13,000 each day and is only part funded by the NHS. 

“As a charity the hospice relies on public donations and fundraising to keep these services going.  And with the pandemic affecting how the hospice is able to raise funds, #GoGold is a way in which people can take on a challenge, any challenge and get sponsored for Glasgow’s Hospice.”

Former nurse, Rhona is looking forward to bagging her first Munro with her furry companion Harriet. A confirmed dog-lover, Rhona with her husband, Jim, organised Harriet’s adoption through Scruffy Dog Rescue. The hospice is also dog-friendly with patients able to bring their pets into their rooms for visits.

Rhona continues: “I am planning on completing my Munro challenge in June with Harriet, all going well. But I am also planning on bagging a second Munro as part of a larger Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice team which will also include the hospice President and Lord Provost of Glasgow, Philip Bratt and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce colleague, Richard Muir.

Rhona admits it will be quite a challenge to take on the Munros: “I haven’t been able to keep as fit as I normally would due to the lockdown restrictions, although I have always enjoyed my walks with Harriet. We are just going to push ourselves a bit further and a bit higher.”

#GoGold for Glasgow’s Hospice is a year-long campaign which encourages people of all ages and all abilities to pick a challenge – any challenge - and get sponsored to help raise vital funds for Glasgow’s Hospice.

Rhona adds: “We are so grateful to everyone who has taken on a challenge so far. The hospice is a very special place with staff who provide the best care possible for people when they need it most. We need you to help us so we can keep on caring. Please consider what challenge you could do to #GoGold for Glasgow’s Hospice.”

You can sponsor Rhona & the Romanian on GoFundMe at www.gofund.me/10566eff.

Or take on your own challenge by visiting the campaign’s website www.Go-Gold.org.uk for ideas on challenges and get inspiration from other people’s fundraising activities.