THERE are not many six-year-olds out there that can say that they’ve raised over £1000 on their own, but for one schoolboy from Chester-le-Street, that’s become a reality after he set up a festive fundraiser in the build-up to Christmas.
After exploring ideas of how to help local charities around him, George Lumley, who attends Cestria Primary School, dreamt up the idea to stage a Reindeer Run at his school – getting all of the pupils and staff involved in the process.
Today – the whole school will play their part in the Reindeer Run by dashing across the school field with reindeer antlers on, which will help to raise money for Durham Hospice, St Cuthbert’s, on what is an important time for the charity.
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This event for George and his schoolmates comes after the six-year-old set up a fundraising page in the middle of November and has so far managed to garner £1150 in generous donations from friends, family and strangers.
Not content with just getting those around him involved, though, George has also enlisted the help of a national radio broadcaster to spread his Reindeer Run message far and wide.
After George and his family got in touch with Radio X DJ, Chris Moyles, they expected their message to get lost with the hundreds of other emails and letters that get sent in per day.
However, to their surprise, the broadcaster went one step further and mentioned George and Cestria Primary on one of his shows last week – making it a day to remember for the Lumley family.
Now that he’s raised more than £1000, his school have championed him and branded him a “hero”.
At this time of year, St Cuthbert’s Hospice would usually be staging a Santa run, but the charity has now admitted that they might rethink this plan for future years after the popularity of this year’s fundraising.
St Cuthbert’s Hospice provides specialist care to people with life-limiting illnesses, people approaching the end of life and the bereaved.
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Jade McArdle, the senior community fundraiser for St Cuthbert’s, said: “We are overwhelmed by the support from the schools in our community taking part in Reindeer Run.
"We love to hold festive fundraisers, and this one certainly has the feel-good factor too. The children have been incredible in their fundraising efforts.
"Their support will help us to be there to support bereaved children at a time when they need our support. We can’t say thank you enough to all of the schools and their brilliant pupils.”
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