Calling Bristol's little reindeer!
St Peter’s Hospice launches new festive fundraiser
Local charity St Peter’s Hospice is inviting schoolchildren across Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire to dash, dance and prance their way into the festive season while raising vital funds for their local hospice.
The brand-new Reindeer Run fundraiser will see children take control of their fundraising, design their own antlers and take part in a fun run, jog or walk with their classmates in November or December.
The charity is requesting the help of schools with the new initiative, which has been created with flexibility in mind. Classes can pick the date they want to complete their challenge, raise as much as they can and choose the distance they cover.
Aimed at primary schools, the sponsored Reindeer Run will raise money to help support adults with life-limiting illnesses, cared for by the Hospice. Children will be encouraged to collect small donations from family and friends, just £1 or £2 each, or whatever they can manage.
Meg Austin, Community Fundraising Officer, at St Peter’s Hospice, said: “We’ve really tried to make it as easy as possible for schools and groups to take part in this new fundraiser. We’ll provide guidance for teachers, printable antler templates, a fundraising tracker for the children and festive resources to bring the event to life.
“We’re so excited to launch our first-ever Reindeer Run and we’re really hoping lots of schools get on board and support it and that it will become a favourite on their calendars for the festive period.
“It’s a magical way for children to celebrate with their friends, while also raising money that will make a real difference to families across our community. We can’t wait to see the herds of reindeer taking to playgrounds
parks and fields this winter!”
As well as event resources, St Peter’s Hospice will also provide a specially designed lesson plan and suggested reading to help schools explore the themes of memories and grief. This is aimed at supporting teachers in delivering the Department for Education’s RSHE guidance on loss and bereavement.
It is hoped that the lesson plan will help teachers open the conversation around grief and loss with their students. Through the theme of memories, students can explore how reflecting on meaningful moments with loved ones can provide strength and help us cope during difficult times.
Laura Hewetson, Children and Young People Lead and Senior Psychological Therapist at St Peter’s Hospice, said: "Evidence shows us that proactive grief education benefits both bereaved young people and those who are yet to experience a bereavement. Talking about grief can also help those who are affected by other types of loss, including parental separation or friendship changes.
“Not only does grief education provide a calm environment to talk about bereavement, but it can also normalise the feelings of grief, help children understand, express and manage their emotions and prepare other pupils to support their friends and classmates.”
St Peter’s Hospice is Bristol’s only adult hospice. All care at St Peter’s Hospice is provided free of charge but the charity relies on gifts in wills, donations, fundraising and money raised through its retail shops to deliver its services.
Anyone interested in taking part in the Reindeer Run can visit stpetershospice.org/ReindeerRun for more information and to register.
