The Brighton children’s charity Rockinghorse has been given a boost as fundraisers took part in Dress as an Elf Day.
The charity said: “Elves were the order of the day for many local schools and businesses who dressed in red and green on Friday (11 December) to support Rockinghorse Children’s Charity’s Dress as an Elf Day.
“The festive fundraiser was held to raise funds for the charity’s Toy Box Appeal, providing young patients at the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital (the Alex) with presents over the Christmas period.
“Those taking part donated £1 towards the appeal and many companies chose to boost their fundraising with additional elf-themed activities and events.
“Dress as an Elf Day sponsors Austin Rees joined staff from Rockinghorse to deliver presents to young patients at the Alex – and the Brighton Wheel lit up a vibrant shade of red and green.”
Brighton Wheel manager Delso Da Silva said: “We were so happy to be able to help support Rockinghorse’s Dress as an Elf Day by lighting the wheel red and green.”
Bus company Stagecoach South also supported Dress as an Elf Day and joined staff from Rockinghorse at the Brighton Wheel along with their Christmas bus, driven by Santa.
The event kick-started two weeks of festive fundraising by the bus company which is supporting Rockinghorse through a series of on-board collections.
Stagecoach Worthing operations manager Colin Ashcroft said: “The great thing about Santa driving our festive bus is the smile you see on people’s faces as he drives past.
“Fundraising for Rockinghorse is just so logical and appropriate. We’re very happy to be working with such a great team of committed individuals and long may this partnership continue.”
Rockinghorse is the official fundraising arm of the Alex. It helps to buy items necessary to every child’s treatment from furnishings and toys for the wards through to cutting-edge diagnostic machines and life-saving medical equipment.
The charity is still collecting funds from the Dress as an Elf Day and it hopes to raise about £10,000 for the Toy Box Appeal.
Rockinghorse head of fundraising Analiese Doctrove said: “We are grateful to have received so much support for our Dress as an Elf Day this year.
“It’s brilliant to see so many local schools and businesses from across Sussex dedicate their time to raise funds for our appeal, which will provide babies, children and teenagers in the Alex with presents over Christmas.”
To find out more about Rockinghorse, or to make a donation, visit the charity online at www.rockinghorse.org.uk.
