In the penultimate week of the Autumn Term, Danes Hill School pupils donned their Christmas fancy dress to take part in the annual Santa Dash to raise money for Winston’s Wish, a charity giving hope to grieving children.
The end of term brought some festive fun as pupils took part in the annual Santa Dash. The fun-run is held at the same time every year to raise money for the school’s chosen charity, which this year is Winston’s Wish. Children from Year 2 to Year 8 took part in the 1km dash through the school’s playing fields dressed in everything from reindeer costumes, inflatable Santa suits and homemade sleighs.
Winston’s Wish was the UK’s first childhood bereavement charity. They have been supporting bereaved children and young people since 1992 and continue to lead the way in providing specialist child bereavement support services across the UK. Winston’s Wish provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people and those who care for them. Their expert teams offer one off and ongoing bereavement support and also provide online resources, specialist publications and training for professionals. Last year, they supported an estimated 18,036 children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.
Just in case the thrill of raising money for charity wasn’t enough there were three prizes up for grabs for the competing children: fastest across the finish line, best dressed and most unique race. This led to one pupil doing cartwheels for the full kilometre race!
Rob Andrews, Acting Head said:
“One of Danes Hill’s greatest achievements, and one of which we are immensely proud, is the vast amount of charitable work and fundraising that continues to be undertaken by the whole school community year on year. It is thrilling to see so many of our pupils animated about raising money for charity and the Santa Dash was no different.”
