Reindeer treat will boost appeal funds

Michael Willacy and Elaine Silverwood sample the Reindeer Dash Ice Cream at SilverDell, Kirkham.

An ice cream specially made to celebrate this year’s Reindeer Run for Trinity Hospice is going to raise money for The Gazette’s Hospice Heroes campaign.

Elaine Silverwood, who runs Silverdell bookshop in Kirkham, has created the Reindeer Dash Ice Cream, full of reindeer poo (raisins) and red noses (strawberry sauce), which is on sale now at the store on Poulton Street.

And it has been given the seal of approval by Michael Willacy, who attends Brian House children’s hospice.

Elaine said: “I was shown around Trinity and Brian House, and you’re not human if you don’t come away moved. It made me decide that I wanted to do something to help.

Santa Dash along Blackpool Promenade last year.

“I decided that I would make an ice cream and call it Reindeer Dash because of what they are doing to raise money at the moment.”

The Reindeer Run is part of Hospice Heroes and will see schools from all over the Fylde coast holding and activity event in December. So far 3,500 children have signed up to take part.

Elaine has pledged to keep the ice cream on as part of her core stock of ice creams, and each time one is sold 50p will be donated to Hospice Heroes.

Our appeal aims to raise £200,000 to help create single rooms at Trinity Hospice, on Low Moor Road, Bispham, and to update many of the features which have been in place since the hospice was built 28 years ago.

At Brian House, the bedrooms will be made brighter and the kitchen will be enhanced to encourage the older children to cook and look after themselves.

Michael, 16, of South Shore, said the ice cream should always be called Reindeer Dash, even after Christmas.

Elaine said: “Having Michael over was really enjoyable. He loved the day, and so did I.

“He has promised to make me a cake – perhaps he can do it in the new kitchen.”

DETAILS OF HOW YOU CAN DONATE OR GET INVOLVED ARE LISTED ON OUR DEDICATED HOSPICE HEROES PAGE.

Santa dashers need to apply early

Entries are coming in thick and fast to this year’s Santa Dash for Trinity Hospice, and this year all proceeds are going to The Gazette’s Hospice Heroes campaign.

Organisers are urging anyone who wants to take part in the one mile dash along the Promenade – from The Sandcastle to Central Pier and back dressed as a jolly santa – to sign up in advance, rather than leave it until the day of the event, December 1.

A Trinity spokesman said: “It would be really helpful because it relieves pressure on the day and it saves disappointment if some people turn up too late.”

DETAILS OF HOW YOU CAN DONATE OR GET INVOLVED ARE LISTED ON OUR DEDICATED HOSPICE HEROES PAGE.