Christmas fundraiser for High Peak hospice raises over £21k

More than 400 Jingle Bell Joggers across the High Peak and beyond have raised over £21,000 for local hospice care during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Blythe House Hospicecare's third annual Jingle Bell Jog was reimagined for the current times, and saw local runners take on 5km routes in their own communities - instead of coming together at Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens as in previous years.

Hundreds of people donned Santa fancy dress to jog and jingle locally across New Mills, Whaley Bridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Buxton – with participants also taking part further afield including in Leeds, Denton and even Vienna!

Money from online donations, cash sponsorship and registration fees totals £21,366; raising over £2,000 more than last year’s event.

All the money will go towards supporting local patients who are affected by life-limiting illness and bereavement, as well as their carers and families.

Feedback about the event on the hospice’s Facebook page has been fantastic.

Clubbercise & Zumba with Accidental Fitness Buxton commented: ‘Ah we had an awesome time! It was great to see so many Santa’s out and about!’

Ruth George said: ‘Had a great day - fab to see so many Santa’s between Whaley and Chinley. Thank you to everyone who sponsored us.’

Sonn Webb posted a photographed and captioned it: ‘This one’s for you Dad and for everyone supported by the amazing Blythe House Hospicecare.’

Becca Gregory, fundraising and events coordinator at Blythe House, said: "This year has been a rollercoaster for everyone, including the hospice as our fundraising events have been cancelled and our local shops closed. When we launched the Jingle Bell Jog Reimagined, we did not know what to expect. We are beyond grateful and thrilled that hundreds of local people turned out to the support Blythe House – especially during the pandemic. It was a very different event to usual, but we are all very used to this “new normal” now, and it was a huge success!

"I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who was involved in the Jingle Bell Jog Reimaged in any capacity; including volunteers; local companies that provided sponsorship or gifts in kind; and of course, everyone who took part! It really provided a welcome boost to our community during the current situation, and I hope everyone is delighted to have jingled their way to raise such an amazing amount of money for local hospice care."

To see a collage of photographs from the event, visit the Blythe House Hospicecare Facebook page by clicking here.

Next year’s Jingle Bell Jog is set to take place on Sunday 5 December.

Sign up to take part before midnight on Sunday 20 December for a super early bird offer of just £5 by heading to www.jinglebelljog.org.uk.

Images were taken by Jingle Bell Jog participants