The cold weather did not stop school and nursery children from across the area don their reindeer antlers to run, have fun and raise money for their local hospice.

45 schools from Windermere to Pilling, Morecambe to Sedbergh, and nursery attendees as young as two years old, all the way up to GCSE students, took part in St John’s Hospice’s Reindeer Rush in the lead up to Christmas.

The Reindeer Rush is part of St John’s Hospice’s programme: Nourish, that encourages mental and physical well-being in children.

The Reindeer Rush invites schools and other groups to set their own date and distance and encourages children to seek sponsorship so they can raise funds for patient care.

So far the runners have managed to raise £13,000 which will fund the invaluable palliative care provided by St John’s Hospice.

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Peter Barfoot, headteacher at St Mark's CE Primary School and Nursery in Natland, said: “There are few charities that have touched the lives of so many local families as St John’s Hospice.

“We are always keen to take part in the annual Reindeer Rush which combines fundraising with fitness.

“The children enjoy the run as part of our week of Christmas activities and everyone looks good in a pair of antlers!”

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Rachel Makinson, engagement coordinator for the Forget Me Not Centre at St John’s Hospice said: “We love the Reindeer Rush as it shows how children of all ages in our community have connected with their local Hospice, and they love getting involved and wearing their antlers!

“So far we’ve managed to raise a massive £13,000, and the money is still coming in.

“Our new Forget Me Not childhood and family bereavement centre will help us to continue to and improve the support we provide for children and schools in our area, so it's great that children from across the area are supporting us with this work.”