Reindeers and Elves Help Hospice Care


Local charity Phyllis Tuckwell would like to say a big thank you to all of the pupils and teachers from the 41 schools who took part in its Reindeer and Elf Runs over the festive season. In total 9,000 pupils took part in the Runs, dressing up as reindeer with antlers, or elves with elf hats and ears, and raising an incredible £70,000 for local Hospice Care!

Held every year in the lead-up to Christmas, the Reindeer and Elf Runs are sponsored events which raise money to help fund the supportive and end of life care which Phyllis Tuckwell provides for local patients and families who are living with an advanced or terminal illness, such as cancer.

“We would like to thank all of the pupils who took part in a Reindeer or Elf Run this year, all of the teachers and parents who organised the Runs and cheered the children on, and everyone who sponsored them,” said Charlotte Quay-Barnham, Community Fundraising Manger at Phyllis Tuckwell. “As the NHS/Government only covers 20% of our costs, we have to raise over £20,000 a day to be able to provide all our services, which we offer free of charge to our patients and their families, and the Reindeer and Elf Runs contribute significantly to this. £70,000 could fund the whole of our Living Well service for nearly six weeks. Supporting around 800 patients a year, our Living Well team cares for those who need help with every day activities, and offers therapies, advice and nursing care to help them cope with the symptoms of their illness and improve their quality of life.”

To find out more about how schools can get involved with supporting Phyllis Tuckwell, or if your school would like to join the 2020 Reindeer Runs, please email [email protected] or call 01252 729446.

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