Staggering stories from Around the World!

At its heart, our Around the World challenge is about local children raising money to help other local children – those we care for at Forget Me Not. And they do that by simply walking a mile or two each and getting sponsored to do so.

And this year we’ve had over 24,000 children from more than 80 schools, nurseries, play groups and youth groups doing just that. And we’ve been blown away, once again, by the energy, enthusiasm and enjoyment that we’ve seen wherever children have taken on our challenge.

We thought we’d share just a few stories from those travelling with us this year.

You may be familiar already with the tale of Hightown Junior, Infants and Nursery School in Liversedge (if not, you can read all about it here) who took our challenge a little further. 1000 miles further. Over 24 hours. And in doing so raised a huge, and very well-earned, £1,450.90!

And how about 6 year old Lucas White from St Joseph’s Primary School in Brighouse? Inspired by one of our Around the World assemblies, he decided to go his own way. He told his mum he wanted to walk 25 miles in 2 weeks – then ended up walking an incredible 54 miles! Blimey! In thanks for his amazing efforts and for raising a brilliant £137.50, we invited him and his mum and dad to the hospice so he could see just what a difference his fundraising would make. And because he came on our doughnut day, he got an extra treat too! Well done, Lucas.

A big well done too to Batley Grammar School which has raised the most this year – a magnificent £5,192.18! Helped, in no small part, by the student committee who, inspired by a visit to the hospice, decided to set students the target the challenge of raising £20 each to fund a memory box.

And the awwwww award goes to Stepping Stones Nursery in Mirfield whose babies and toddlers raised a very brilliant £748.55 with one little tot raising over £350 on their own! Which just goes to show it doesn’t matter how big or small you are – you can make a difference!

A massive thank you to every child and school or nursery that came Around the World with us this year – and everyone who supported and sponsored them too!

The money you’ve raised – and it’s still coming in! – will help us provide vital care and support to local children and families.

Support that includes taking them around the world too this summer! We’ve got lots of fun activities planned at Russell House for throughout the summer holidays, all with an international theme!

So whether to give mum and dad a bit of time to themselves, while their child has a lovely time with us, or so that families can spend some time together doing something really fun, we’re crossing continents to help them make the most of every minute!