THIS month Gazette reporter Leanne Woodruff is running 100k to raise funds to buy gifts for children spending Christmas in hospital.

So far Leanne has raised more than £500 to help spread some festive cheer to youngsters in Bristol Children’s Hospital.

The mum-of-four from Yate was moved to help after her own daughter Livie was admitted to BCH at Christmas time three years ago.

“She had pneumonia and her lung collapsed,” said Leanne.

“And there was a little boy in the room next door who was there all day, every day on his own because his mum had to go to work.

“His mum would come in in the evening to be with him. But the nurses said she had no choice- she would lose their home if she didn’t work.

“One day the nurses brought round advent calendars that a family had donated and the little boy was literally over the moon.

“So I know first hand what the reaction is of the children when they get just something little from someone.”

From that point on, Leanne made it her mission to ensure that youngsters spending Christmas in the hospital would have a few extra treats to cheer them up.

For the last two Christmasses, she has thrown a children’s party to raise funds for gifts for the youngsters at BCH but, due to the pandemic, she had to come up with a different plan this year.

“Obviously I can’t throw a party this year, due to Covid, so I decided to run a 5k every day,” she said.

Leanne is running a 5k on 20 days this month to fundraise and so far she has raised £520.

“It’s no hardship to me to run every day- I ache a bit - but those poor little souls are there every day.

“If I can just help a bit, I will,” said Leanne.

Leanne’s daughter, five-year-old Livie, is really keen to bring festive cheer to youngsters in BRH too, and has joined her mum on two of her 5k runs.

If you would like to show your support and make a donation, please visit Leanne’s Go Fund Me page via bit.ly/37ovtWv