BEVERLEY – Pupils at Seacole Park in Beverley have raised £502 for Martin House Children’s Hospice after taking part in a 5K fancy dress run.
Five children completed the run on the school’s playing fields, with each pupil wearing a different costume, including two dressed as chickens.
The fundraiser was held in support of Martin House, the children’s hospice based in Boston Spa, which provides specialist palliative care and support for children and young people with life-shortening conditions across West, North and East Yorkshire.
The charity was chosen because of a personal link to one of the runners.
Tommy Green, 10, is the grandson of Sheila and Brian Garner, who help lead the Friends of Martin House Hull and East Yorkshire group. The group raises money and awareness for the hospice through a range of local fundraising activities.
Last year, the group raised £2,500 towards Martin House’s new hydrotherapy pool, which is due to open this summer.
Sheila, Brian and Tommy were present at the charity’s Beverley shop when the cheque from Seacole Park was formally handed over.
Michelle Ford, regional and events team manager at Martin House, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the students of Seacole Park for raising this fantastic amount. Running 5K is impressive at the best of times, never mind in fancy dress.”
She added: “Every year, we care for more than 500 children and young people with serious and complex health needs. Our services are available to families completely free of charge, 24/7, 365 days a year. It costs around £12 million a year to provide this specialist care, and the majority is funded by voluntary donations and fundraising.”
Sarah Kerwin, executive headteacher at Seacole Park, said: “We’re extremely proud of our students for completing this challenge, and raising so much money. Martin House does brilliant work caring for children and families in our region, and we’re delighted to support their cause.”
Martin House has been providing children’s palliative care since 1987 and supports more than 500 children and young people each year, along with around 200 bereaved family members.
The hospice’s services are provided free to families and are funded largely through donations and community fundraising.