News Beat
Daily reindeer run at Stockton school for Butterwick Hospice
Mary Butterwick, OBE, who died in 2015, founded Stockton-based Butterwick Hospice Care in 1984 by selling her own home following the death of her husband, John.
Now, her great-grandson, Edward Holder, is doing Mary proud as a junior ambassador and fundraiser for the hospice.
Edward challenged everyone at his school – St Mary’s CE Primary School, in Long Newton – to take part in a reindeer run to raise vital cash for the Butterwick Hospice, as well as creating an atmospheric ‘Light Up a Life’ event.
Children from nursery through to year six braved rainy conditions in the playground to take part in the reindeer run. Wearing reindeer masks created by themselves, they each did three laps of the course, cheered on by the Butterwick mascot, Bea.
Headteacher, Shaun Smith, said: “I’ve known about the amazing work Butterwick Hospice does for several years and, as soon as Edward mentioned his link Mary, I knew we needed to support it with our fundraising.
“The reindeer run is a great way to do that and lots of fun, but we also wanted to do something more meaningful to remember loved ones at Christmas, which is why we put together our ‘Light Up a Life’ display.”
In an atmospheric ceremony, following the school’s Christmas fair, children of all ages and their parents illuminated jam jars that they’d decorated in memory of friends and loved ones that are no longer with us.
Edward said: “I’m so proud of what my great nanna did and that I’m able to help as an ambassador for the hospice.
“I think everyone loved decorating their masks and doing the reindeer run, but it was a bit wet! The Light Up a Life display is good because it helps us to remember people we have lost like great nanna Mary, which is very important at Christmas.”
Butterwick Hospice CEO Edward Gorringe said: “We wouldn’t exist without the community and their fundraising efforts like this, and we’re always grateful for their donations.
“Mary always believed that we’re here to be part of the community, so it’s great to see that Edward is continuing her good work and he and his schoolfriends are supporting the hospice, whilst having fun.”
