South Devon school children raise £30,000 for the hospice
Nearly 6,000 children from around 30 schools and nurseries across South Devon have laced up their running shoes, donned their red noses and adorned homemade antlers to take part in Rowcroft Hospice’s annual Rudolph Run this December. The herds of young reindeer – aged between 2 and 11 – dashed, jogged, and walked their way through this year’s sponsored event, to raise an impressive £30,000 to support the hospice’s specialist end-of-life care for local people living with life-limiting illnesses.
Children from Stover School enjoy the Rudolph Run
Fun and festive spirit
Now in its fourth year, the Rudolph Run has become a much-loved event on the local school calendar, bringing together communities in fun and festive spirit while raising important funds to support for Rowcroft’s vital care services which help over 2,500 patients and their loved ones each year across South Devon.
Alexia Croft, Rowcroft Hospice’s Events Manager, said:
“The atmosphere at this year’s Rudolph Run events has been nothing short of magical. Seeing thousands of children laughing, running, and jingling all the way to raise funds for the hospice has been truly heartwarming. The event has once again highlighted the amazing Christmas spirit that we can all be so proud of here in South Devon. We’d like to say a massive thank you to every single school, nursery, and little reindeer who took part – and to our brilliant event sponsors, China Blue and Tubers Academy, for helping to make this year’s Rudolph Run so special.”
Introducing children to the concept of hospice care
The Rudolph Run is more than just a fundraiser – it’s also an opportunity to inspire young children to care for their local community. With the help of fun, age-appropriate videos produced for free by Tubers Academy, the event introduced pupils to the work Rowcroft does in supporting local people facing life-limiting illnesses.
Teachers and pupils praised the event for combining festive fun with a worthwhile cause:
“Here at St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School in Brixham, we are so pleased to be taking part in our fourth annual Rudolph Run for Rowcroft,” said Emma O’Sullivan, reception and year one teacher. “We are a small school with a big heart and the Rudolph Run is an important event in our school calendar each year. Rowcroft is an invaluable support to people within our local community and a charity which is close to many of our hearts. We cannot wait to see all the smiling faces as our energetic little reindeer prance around the playground wearing their antlers and red noses.”
Ben Noble, Head of Stover Preparatory School, said:
“Once again, the children in the prep school, as well as the Year 7s, ran for Rowcroft! Wearing antlers and red noses, whilst listening to Christmas classics, they ran either in the prep playground or around the cross country course. We were lucky with the weather; we always seem to be when raining money for Rowcroft Hospice. The children had a great time and raised a lot of money for a very worthy cause – already looking forward to next year’s event!”
As Rowcroft Hospice continues to deliver specialist care to those with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon, the funds raised through community events like the Rudolph Run are essential. During recent months, Rowcroft has indicated that the financial pressures facing the charity are significant – due to many factors including rising costs, stalled funding, a national drop in charitable giving, and a rising demand for end-of-life care services. Rowcroft continues to stress the importance of community support to ensure that its crucial services can continue to bring care and comfort to those facing the toughest times of their lives.