Phyllis Tuckwell is looking for local schools to take part in its Reindeer and Elf Runs this Christmas, which raise money to help fund the hospice care which it provides to local patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness such as cancer.
Last year over 10,400 local children, from 44 schools, took part in the Runs, running laps of their school playground or playing field and raising over £83,000. This huge amount of money could cover the costs of Phyllis Tuckwell’s Living Well Day Services for nearly seven weeks. These services support patients and families who need some help managing everyday life with their illness, and cares for around 630 patients a year.
Schools that sign up for the Reindeer and Elf Runs will be offered a visit from a member of Phyllis Tuckwell’s Fundraising team, to give an age-appropriate presentation in a school assembly, telling the children about Phyllis Tuckwell and how the money they raise will help people in their local community. They will all be given a sponsorship envelope so that they can collect sponsorship money, and a member of the Fundraising team will return to the school on the day of the Run – dressed festively as a reindeer, elf, snowman or even Christmas tree – to cheer the children on! The Runs can take place at any time during the school day, and can be incorporated into a PE lesson or the school’s daily mile run. The children will all wear reindeer antlers or an elf hat and ears on the day, and if the school would like to they can also combine it with a Christmas jumper or mufti day.
“Our Reindeer and Elf Runs are always hugely popular with local schools,” said Charli Quay-Barnham, Community Fundraising Manger at Phyllis Tuckwell. “Pupils and teachers alike really enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit and always have a fantastic time.”
The money raised by these Runs is really important to Phyllis Tuckwell. As the NHS/Government usually only covers 20% of its costs, it has to raise over £25,000 a day to be able to provide all of its services, which it offers free of charge to its patients and their families.
If your school would like to sign up for this year’s Reindeer and Elf Runs, please email [email protected] or call 01252 729446.