A PIONEERING North-East hospice is appealing for schools to join in a festive fundraising tradition by holding their own Christmas fun run this year.

Butterwick Hospice Care, based in Stockton and Bishop Auckland, has launched its annual Christmas fundraising fun runs in partnership with local schools and is providing Santa and Reindeer dress-up for children who take part.

Butterwick fundraiser, Ashleigh Wood, said: “For many schools in our area, holding a Butterwick Christmas fun run is the best way to kick off the holiday season. It’s really become a Christmas tradition for families and schools that support the hospice.

“It’s always lovely to see schoolchildren get so excited about the run ahead of Christmas, and it’s a great way for them to burn off all that excited energy!

“It’s a great thing to build into PE lessons or Art & Design as a fun Christmas activity that also does a lot to help a fantastic community charity.

“We’re hoping this year we’ll have more schools than ever take part, and together we’ll raise money to support terminally ill people and their families at a time of year when everyone deserves a bit of care and joy.”

Primary schools can contact the hospice to arrange a Rudolph Run in their grounds, for which the hospice provides reindeer masks for children to colour and design, magical reindeer food, and sponsor forms.

Secondary schools can organise a Santa Run in their grounds, and will receive a Santa hat and sponsor forms.

For more information on how to get involved, visit www.butterwick.org.uk/category-events-2/ or contact the Fundraising Team at ashleigh.wood@butterwick.org.uk or 01642 628930.