A LOCAL school has been raising funds for Barnsley Hospice for three years now after the families of pupils found support from the charity during some of their most difficult times.
Like many schools, King’s Oak in Wombwell receives plenty of appeals asking for their support in charitable causes.
However, staff had struggled to pick a cause that felt appropriate, beyond their annual appeals for Comic Relief and Children in Need.
That was, until Barnsley Hospice sent an email.
HR manager at the school, Jo Swift, told the Chronicle: “The parents of a couple of children in school had been in the hospice.
“It’s a brilliant service that provides great support to families.
“We knew then that it was definitely a charity we wanted to support.”
In the first year, the school took part in a ‘reindeer run’ with pupils and staff putting on antlers and taking part in organised sponsored runs.
Then, for the past two years, the event has been rebranded as an ‘elf run’, but kids are no less excited to take part - with them each receiving a hat today and heading out to the playground to raise some funds.
“A lot of the staff will be joining in,” Jo added.
“Some of the teachers set challenges and there’s a track set up where kids can run laps if they want.
“This year we’re combining it with Christmas jumper day to make it extra festive.
“They get to run about and feel like they’re doing something good for the community.”