Pupils at Gaywood Primary, Walpole Cross Keys Primary, and Heacham Infants donned antlers to participate in a charity fun run.

The Rudolph Run is an annual fundraising event for Norfolk Hospice, and the schools hope to have raised over £500 for the charity.

At Gaywood, around 400 children took part in the event, which incorporated the school’s Christmas Jumper Day, and was co-organised by School Council Lead Abigail King.

She said: “Norfolk Hospice is an important local charity, and it was a lovely opportunity for the children to take part in a festive event so close to Christmas.

“We’d never taken part in a charity event like this before, but we had done similar events within the Trust.

“We combined PE and School Council efforts to raise money through physical activity for a good cause.”

She continued: “Tapping House is a local care home that is well known within the school community. It  is not just for people with cancer, it also supports those with a range of life-limiting illnesses and their families.”

Gaywood’s young fundraisers were sponsored by friends and family to complete laps of a circuit in the school grounds, with the Reception children going first, followed by Years 1 to 6, over the course of the morning.

“Reception children were accompanied by adults who ran or walked with them,” added Miss King, “and some members of staff also participated.

“We were mindful of asking for money at this time of the year, so we made it clear to parents that they did not have to raise money if they chose not to, and their child could still take part and receive a pair of antlers.

“However the children all had sponsorship forms, and we are hopeful of achieving around £500 – anything over will be an absolute bonus!”

Teacher Carol Jones, from Walpole Cross Keys, where all 54 pupils took part in the fundraising, said: “We wanted to get involved in the Rudolph Run to raise money for a local charity that helps many people in the area.

“Events like this are important to the school, as the children have fun whilst raising awareness of a local charity and what they can do to help the people in the area.”