Elf-Hats, wintery walks and yuletide fun are all part of When You Wish Upon a Star’s (WYWUAS) Christmas fundraising campaign, Laps for Lapland, which will be taking place this winter. The national charity, which grants the wishes of children living with life threatening illnesses, is appealing for local schools, nurseries, businesses and communities to take part in a Lap for Lapland this winter- helping to raise funds for a magical trip of a lifetime for seriously ill children.

It costs the charity £90,000 to charter each of its private flights to Lapland every year, and WYWUAS urgently needs local communities to help raise funds to support the magical trip.

Regional fundraising manager, Nicola Brien, said: “Last year we had a fantastic response to Laps for Lapland, with people of all ages taking part in festive walks to raise funds for the Lapland trip, taking part in creative and fun ways. We love to see how communities, schools and nurseries come together to make their walks special and transform into Santa’s little helpers.

“To take part in the campaign, all you need to do is register your interest to us, receive your Laps for Lapland fundraising pack and find a time and date to bring everyone together and complete your festive lap in your elf hat! We encourage everyone to either donate or be sponsored when taking part in the laps – to help raise as much as they can for the Lapland trip.

The Laps for Lapland challenges raises funds to ensure WYWUAS can continue to send children on the special trip to visit Santa in Lapland. For each child and their guardian it costs £900 to send them to Lapland, so fundraising helps to make the trip tangible for the life-changing charity.

Nicola added: “The Lapland trip gives the children, who are living with a life-threatening illness, respite and time out from painful treatments to simply be a child for the day. It also gives parents a break and a chance to see their children smile, creating precious treasured memories which last a lifetime.”

WYWUAS will be sending a free Laps for Lapland information pack to any community which would like to take part. The information pack will contain: an elf hat for each participant, an event information leaflet and, if applicable, a letter to guardians explaining Laps for Lapland.