Schools and nurseries across Bolton raised over £32,000 during December to fund the care given to patients and their families at Bolton Hospice on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

This is the second year that schools have been invited to take part in the hospice’s festive campaign, which has paid for the last two Christmases with their fundraising efforts.

Kathryn Willett, corporate and community lead at Bolton Hospice, said: “We have been overwhelmed with the incredible support of our school community in Bolton. It has been so heartening to see so many children wearing their elf hats with pride and having so much fun on their elf runs. ”

Rebecca Tattersall, deputy head teacher at Moorgate Primary, said: ”We really wanted to take part in this event as Bolton Hospice is very close to our hearts. We sadly lost a wonderful member of our Moorgate family in lockdown and she spent some time at Bolton Hospice.

“I was astounded at the amount that we raised and am so incredibly proud of all our children who took part and raised £3745.14.”

Children from four months to four years took part at Mucky Munchkins Childcare in Over Hulton, raising £777.50 for the hospice.

The 30 schools that took part this year were: Devonshire Road, Egerton Primary, St Brendans, St James Daisy Hill CE, All Saints CE, SS Osmund & Andrew RC, St Maxentius, St Michaels CE, Queensbridge, Masefield, St Joseph RC, Clevelands Prep School, Ladybridge Primary, St Stephen & All Martyrs, Lever Edge, Beacon Primary School, Moorgate Primary School, Clarendon, Cherry Tree & Greenfold, Sharples Primary School, Essa Primary School, St Matthews CE Primary School, The Oaks, St Philip’s CE Primary in Atherton, St. Thomas CE Primary School, St Andrews, St Simon & Judes Primary School, Bowness Primary School, Eagley Juniors, and Mucky Munchkins.