Pals' very worthy new year's resolution

Talented swing singer Josh Hindle (25) and nurse David Smith (30) have challenged the people of East Lancashire to provide them with a challenge for every month of 2017 to raise vital funds for the hospice.

Josh, who was recently named the Best Musical Act for weddings in the North-West, has set up a Facebook page with David inviting the public to suggest a fund-raising challenge for every month.

On New Year’s Day they will randomly pick 12 suggestions for each month.

Josh, from Barrowford, said: “We are excited for our challenge but slightly nervous. Who knows what lies around the corner for us!

“We wanted to do a 12 month long challenge that the public can follow the progress of. To make it more interesting we wanted the public to decide what we do.

“Some challenges will be very difficult and some will be fun. We aren’t quite sure what we have let ourselves in for but it’s all in the name of the hospice whose staff do an unbelievable job year in year out.

“I would like to thank everyone who has commented so far. Hopefully we can raise lots of money.”

David, an intensive care nurse from Nelson, said the pair are open to taking on most challenges – provided they are clean, safe, family friendly and practical.

David’s auntie, who died in October, was cared for at the hospice.

All challenges will be filmed and posted on “Josh and David’s Hospice Challenge 2017” Facebook page for supporters to watch and keep updated with their progress.

Sammi Graham, fund-raiser at Pendleside Hospice, said: “I really hope people in our community support Josh and David throughout their challenge, from suggesting a challenge to sponsoring them to complete them.

“Who knows what they will end up doing – I’m excited to see what is drawn out and am sure it will keep us entertained.”

Josh is also organising his annual “Big Band Boogie”, which is being held on May 20th at the Burnley Mechanics. Tickets are available from January from the Burnley Mechanics Box Office and are priced at £14 adults and £10 concessions/seniors.

If you wish you can sponsor them by visiting their Just Giving page and donating using your credit/debit card – www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joshanddavidchallenge.