RED noses and pointy ears were in abundance when Phyllis Tuckwell held their annual Reindeer and Elf Runs, in November and December.

Around 6,500 pupils, from 35 schools across Surrey and Hampshire, took part in the runs, which raised money to help fund the supportive and end-of-life care which the hospice care charity provides for patients and families in West Surrey and North East Hampshire.

Wearing either reindeer antlers and a flashing red nose, or elf hats and pointy ears, the children walked, jogged and ran their way through the runs, which were held on school playgrounds, sports fields and indoors in school halls.

Together they raised more than £50,000, a huge amount of money which could fund Phyllis Tuckwell’s Day Services for five weeks, providing patients with a weekly outing to the hospice or Beacon Centre.

“We would like to thank all those who were involved in the Reindeer and Elf Runs – the teachers who organised the runs, the families and friends who sponsored the children, and of course the children themselves who took part so enthusiastically,” said Gemma Craig, community fundraising manager at Phyllis Tuckwell.