HUNDREDS of children dressed to impress as their favourite famous people this month to raise money for Grantham Hospice.
Red Carpet Day was started last year by the manager of Yorkshire Bank in Grantham, Hannah Martin, as a fun way to fund-raise.
This year, over a three week period, 22 schools and six nurseries took part, with children dressing as everything from Harry Potter to Lord Alan Sugar.
Hannah said: “I was so delighted that last year’s Red Carpet Day turned out to be such a success that I decided to do it all again this year.
“It’s a simple idea, but seems to be popular with the local kids and teachers. I think it’s gone really well.”
Every child makes a donation to take part in the event, which is then match-funded by Yorkshire Bank.
Half of the bank’s money goes to Grantham Hospice and the rest is donated to the national Help the Hospices charity.
Hannah, who visited the participating schools and nurseries with the national charity’s mascot, Sunny, said she really enjoyed meeting the young celebrities on her travels.
She added: “The uptake increased on last year and it’s nice to see the children thinking up new costumes all the time. We had a little Isaac Newton at the Isaac Newton Primary School. It was really good and I think they really enjoyed it.”
Last year the event raised £2,300 for the hospices and Hannah is hopeful that that total will be increased when the money is collected in from this year’s event.
She added: “I appreciate everybody taking part and whatever donation we can put towards the hospice will be gratefully received.
“Hopefully we can do something similar next year. I’m looking forward to thinking up new fund-raising ideas so watch this space.”
St Barnabas Grantham Hospice assistant fundraising manager Tina Dingley said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Hannah and her team from Yorkshire Bank for organising the Red Carpet days and to all the schools that took part. I am sure all the children had tremendous fun dressing up to help raise funds for the Hospice.
“We really do appreciate all the hard work that goes into organising such events and are very appreciative of everyone’s continued support.”