FOOTBALL manager and Julia’s House patron, Harry Redknapp, has given the Julia’s House Around the World challenge team of carers, nurses and support staff a massive boost as they start the last leg of the fundraising virtual journey around the world.

Harry sent a good luck message to the 62 staff taking part and did two laps of his Sandbanks garden, donating the distance to the team.

“Well done to all the nurses, staff and volunteers at Julia’s House who have taken part in this fantastic fundraising global trek around the world,” Harry said to the team.

“It’s been a big challenge over lockdown, but you’ve made a great effort.”

Back in April, furloughed staff from Julia’s House set themselves a lockdown fundraising challenge to collectively walk, run or cycle 24,900 miles during their daily exercise - a distance equivalent to travelling around the world.

Having been joined by more colleagues, the group have completed just over 85 per cent of their journey in just 78 days and have raised almost £8,000 in the process.

The team are now just heading into Brazil on the last 5,000 miles of their challenge, aiming to raise funds to enable the charity to continue its vital work caring for local children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions across Dorset and Wiltshire.

“This is such a boost for everyone’” says Gemma Linford, the Julia House carer who co-ordinated the challenge while on furlough and has just gone back to work at Julia’s House.

She added: “The team have been fantastic, going out in all weathers, fitting the miles in around home schooling and family commitments and work too. It’s been a real team effort.

“Harry’s wonderful message has come along at just the right time, when we’re heading home.

“We so want to meet our fundraising target of £12,000, it would make the world of difference to local vulnerable children and their families. If people haven’t donated, we would love them to make a pledge now.”

Harry joins fellow Julia’s House patrons, actor Nigel Havers and long-distance runner Liz Yelling, who have been supporting the team with their daily miles.

To donate to the Julia’s House Global Challenge visit justgiving.com/fundraising/gemma-linford2.