Thousands of young reindeer raise £30,000 in South Devon’s Rudolph Run for Rowcroft Hospice

In December, nearly 6,000 children from around 30 schools and nurseries across South Devon donned red noses and homemade antlers to participate in Rowcroft Hospice’s annual Rudolph Run. The festive event, now in its fourth year, saw children aged two to 11 dash, jog, and walk their way to raising an impressive £30,000 in support of the hospice’s specialist end-of-life care services.

The Rudolph Run has become a cherished tradition on South Devon’s school calendar. Beyond spreading holiday cheer, it plays a crucial role in raising funds for Rowcroft Hospice, which supports over 2,500 patients and their families each year as they face life-limiting illnesses.

Alexia Croft, Rowcroft Hospice’s Events Manager, commented: "The atmosphere at this year’s Rudolph Run has been nothing short of magical. Seeing thousands of children laughing, running, and jingling all the way to raise funds for the hospice has been truly heartwarming. A massive thank you to every school, nursery, and little reindeer who took part – and to our sponsors, China Blue and Tubers Academy, for making this event so special.”

The Rudolph Run is more than just a fundraiser; it’s an opportunity to educate children about the hospice’s work. With the help of free, engaging videos produced by Tubers Academy, participants learned about the importance of Rowcroft’s care for local people in need.

Schools across South Devon have embraced the event as a way to combine festive fun with meaningful community engagement.

At St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary School in Brixham, teacher Emma O’Sullivan said: "We are a small school with a big heart, and the Rudolph Run is an important event in our school calendar. Rowcroft is an invaluable support to people within our local community, and we cannot wait to see all the smiling faces as our energetic little reindeer prance around the playground.”

Similarly, Stover Preparatory School participated enthusiastically. Headmaster Ben Noble remarked: "The children had a great time running to Christmas classics, wearing antlers and red noses. We were lucky with the weather – we always seem to be when raising money for Rowcroft. It’s a wonderful cause, and we’re already looking forward to next year’s event!"

Community events like the Rudolph Run are critical for Rowcroft Hospice, which has faced significant financial pressures due to rising costs, a national drop in charitable giving, and increased demand for its services. Funds raised from events help the hospice provide care and comfort to patients and their families during the toughest times of their lives.

As Rowcroft continues to navigate these challenges, the support of schools, families, and community members remains essential. This year’s Rudolph Run exemplifies the spirit of giving and community connection that makes South Devon a special place – with thousands of young “reindeer” leading the charge to make a difference.

For more information about the hospice’s work or to make a donation, visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk.