Phil Holbrook and his #TeamHolbrook, started raising funds way back in 2014 following the tragic deaths of his late wives, Gillian and Sally – the latter in a horrific car crash that left him with life changing injuries including more than 30 broken bones and permanent left side nerve damage.
“I was discharged from hospital, after 13 weeks, in a wheelchair!” said Phil. “So far, the team has raised over £100,000 for this fantastic local charity, which does so much and touches the hearts of so many. Every person who has participated or donated should consider themselves a member of #TeamHolbrook!”
Greg Hildreth, the hospice’s Business and Communications Senior Manager, paid tribute to Phil, saying: “Phil’s story has been a truly remarkable one that has taken him through some incredibly challenging times. His drive, resilience, creativity and humour have all played major parts in his colourful and varied fundraising journey, which has made a real difference to countless families accessing local hospice care.
He added: “This milestone is to be celebrated and, on behalf of everyone at Alice House Hospice, I am sending a sincere message of thanks and congratulations to Phil and everyone who has supported #TeamHolbrook along the way. Wishing Phil and his incredible team every success in the future.”
Phil’s team’s magnificent fundraising events have included:
- 10k, Marathon and Half Marathon Runs
- Cycling challenges
- Pumpkin Growing Competitions
- Race Nights
- Family-friendly Walking Quizzes
- Quiz Nights
- Live Music Events
- Walking Challenges
- Raffles and Auctions
- Exhibition and Sale of Gillian’s Artwork
- Carnival Float Competition Entry
- Hartlepool Triathlon
- Bucket Collections
- and a sponsored haircut after the Covid19 pandemic!
“Not looking to stop supporting Alice House Hospice any time soon, I am attempting my 34th Great North Run on 13th September – less than a week after my 66th birthday,” continued Phil. “The night before, we shall be drawing the raffle for a recently built doll’s house, constructed by my partner, Carole Thompson, who has also donated the mansion!”
Other up-and-coming fundraising events – which #TeamHolbrook is either organising or supporting – include “A Hundred Grand Celebration Night”, at The Blacksmith’s Arms, on 25 September; “A Cycle A Marathon” on 25 October; the annual TeamHolbrook Memorial Winter Walk/Run on 23 December; the annual TeamHolbrook Memorial Summer Walk/Run on 23 June 2027 and the team’s annual Music Night next August.
“This is not a complete list, so please look out for other events throughout the year and join in however you can,” said Phil. “The current total raised amounts to
more than £1 for each resident in the borough of Hartlepool. Unfortunately, this does not even cover the amount needed to run Alice House Hospice for two weeks! It has taken 12 years to achieve this and, with your help, we may be able to raise this amount again!”
He went on: “The Blacksmiths Arms very kindly has allowed the team to fundraise on the first Wednesday of each month as part of their excellent weekly quiz – and the regulars in the pub have raised an incredible £5,500 since December 2024. That sum amounts to 5.5.% of the total raised by the team since September 2014 – when £5,050.50 was raised from six team members completing the Great North Run. I would personally like to thank everyone who has participated in an event over the last 12 years, or who has donated in aid of Alice House either with money or prizes.”
On a personal note, Phil gave special mentions to the entire staff team at James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough, for “saving my life and getting me to where I am today”; Steve Bell, “who has come up with so many left field ideas that have brought in money and has always been there to literally pick me up when I fall during runs and Mandy who has been a great support to the team”; the entire staff, especially the fundraising and communications teams, at Alice House, both past and present, who have supported the team on its journey; the late Hops and Cheese pub, which initially allowed him to raise money, and the Blacksmith’s Arms, who took on that baton; the Hartlepool parkrun organising team, who have hosted our annual purple parkrun during National Hospice Week, and, finally, all the local organisations, who have put on their own events to support the team, and the local media organisations who publicised its endeavours.
If anyone has an idea for #TeamHolbrook to develop for fundraising in support of Alice House Hospice, they should either contact Phil on Facebook (Phil Holbrook) or email: [email protected]
The #TeamHolbrook online fundraising link is: http://bit.ly/38nQfpt
