Get on Santa's Nice List by Taking Part in NE1's Festive Five Fundraiser

The summertime charitable phenomenon of run five, donate five and nominate five which was turbo-charged by social media has been relaunched by NE1 Ltd this winter with a new festive twist. NE1 is launching its ‘Festive Five’ in December to challenge the people of Newcastle and the North East to put on their running shoes, walking boots or swimming goggles to help Mission Christmas, which this year is facing bigger challenges and demand than usual, due to the impact of the Covid-19 virus.
 

The mission, if people are willing to accept it, is to Run (or walk, swim, skip, Bunny Hop) five kilometres (roughly 3 miles); donate five pounds – or whatever they can afford and; nominate five people who would equally be up for a festive challenge…all on behalf of the children’s charity, Cash 4 Kids and its festive fundraising initiative, Mission Christmas.
 

Each year Cash 4 Kids asks for donations to ensure underprivileged and disadvantaged children in the North East all receive presents on Christmas Day. This year, with Coronavirus and people working largely from home there has been a serious drop in donations to the charitable appeal and handling of donated toys is much more difficult with the need to be Covid-safe.
 

NE1 had been hoping to launch Newcastle’s own Santa Run around the city to raise much needed funds for the charity but due to restrictions on public gatherings has decided to shift its focus to the NE1 Festive Five. This will allow people to get involved remotely and still have a bit of fun while raising much-needed money for charity in a Covid-safe way. Instead of presents, the charity is asking for cash donations to avoid any unnecessary Covid risks.
 

People are encouraged to sign up for NE1’s ‘Festive Five’ by visiting www.festivefive.co.uk, they can even register to get a commemorative medal to mark their involvement in the virtual event. As well as doing the 5k challenge wherever they fancy, and in a Covid-safe way, participants are encouraged to take photographs of their personal 5k and their festive dressing-up efforts, post them to social media using the hashtag #NE1FestiveFive, and tagging @NewcastleNE1, then nominate five of their friends and family to join them. Prizes will be awarded for the pictures showing the best efforts to complete 5k and festive outfits.
 

Pam Carefull, Project Coordinator at NE1 Ltd said:
“We want people to get out there and have a bit of festive fun this December. Put on a Santa Hat, dress up as an elf, or a Christmas Tree and raise some much-needed cash for Mission Christmas and Cash for Kids. We can all do our bit, however small, and bring some festive cheer into the lives of underprivileged children across the North East.

“We want people to choose their 5K – whether its running, cycling, dog-walking, space-hopping or skipping – let’s get the city moving to help others and you can even sign up to get a commemorative medal for your efforts. Remember to hashtag #NE1FestiveFive, and @NewcastleNE1 in your social media posts so we can award prizes for the best pictures.”
 

Dan Slee from Cash For Kids said:
“We are delighted NE1 has launched the ‘NE1 Festive Five’ and would encourage as many people as possible to get involved. This will definitely get you on Santa’s ‘nice list’ in time for Christmas.

“Mission Christmas needs people’s help this year more than ever. Since the outbreak of Coronavirus, donations have dropped off considerably. We hope the ‘Festive Five’ will give a much-needed boost to our funds at a crucial time in the year. ‘Festive Five’ donations will allow us to buy presents for kids across the region who might otherwise not be getting anything this Christmas.

“We are looking forward to seeing the North East community rally round and take part in the ‘Festive Five’. We ran a similar event in the summer which attracted a lot of participants– we hope ‘NE1’s Festive Five’ this December will prove even more popular.”
 

Sign up to take part in NE1’s ‘Festive Five’ at www.festivefive.co.uk or at www.cashforkids.org.uk
 

Things may be different this year, but Newcastle's Christmas is still happening, and Newcastle City Council, NE1 and NGI are working together to bring Christmas spirit to the city during these difficult times.
 

We need to support each other and local businesses and celebrate the festive period safely. So please remember when you are in the city centre or any other busy outside area - hands, face, space.