After the success of our first Halloween Toddle at Temple Newsam last year, we're excited to announce the second annual event will take place at Roundhay Park on Saturday 22^nd of October.

Last year, 228 tiny ghosts, witches, pumpkins, and more, joined in the one-kilometre walk, helping to raise an incredible £38,328 for Leeds Children’s Hospital.

Sign your toddler up here!

The Owen family, from Hessle, took part in the event last year with four-year-old Noah and two-year-old Roux. Roux has been under the care of Leeds Children’s Hospital since he was just four weeks old, after his parents, Amy and Antony were told the shocking news that he had a brain tumour the size of two oranges.

Noah and Roux raised £417.50 through their fundraising at the Toddle, their dad Antony explains why it meant so much for them to get involved:

“We’re so grateful to the incredible staff at Leeds Children’s Hospital who have cared for Roux since he was born, they’re like family to us. Amy and I have done lots of fundraising events, challenges and activities in the past, but the Toddle gave us the opportunity for our boys to get involved in fundraising which was so special.”

It’s just £5 to sign up your toddler and all funds raised will go towards initiatives that help make hospital a little brighter for young patients.

With the help of a grown up, toddlers taking part are encouraged to set up their own fundraising page to raise whatever they can to help poorly children and their families at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

After the ‘Toddle’, children and their families can get involved in a tombola and lots of fun games alongside Ernie, Leeds Hospital Charity’s loveable owl mascot and a host of Leeds Children’s Hospital staff who will cheer them along every step of the toddle.

The money raised through the 2021 Toddle has helped fund projects above and beyond what the NHS can provide, like games and arts and crafts to keep young patients entertained, equipment for physiotherapy, wellbeing items for staff on the wards working long shifts, and improvements to the ward environment for staff, patients and families. 

Lisa Beaumont, Therapeutic & Specialised Play Manager at Leeds Children’s Hospital said:

“Last year’s Halloween Toddle was a huge success and helped raise an incredible amount to help the children and young people we care for. We can’t wait to get involved in the event again this year! We see such bravery from the very youngest patients and their siblings, and this event is about celebrating that. The Toddle gives some of our youngest supporters a chance to do something amazing for their NHS. Toddlers might sign up because their life was saved at Leeds Children’s Hospital, they might have a sibling in our care, or they might sign up in memory of a sibling who has passed away.”

Every toddler who signs up will receive a fundraising pack complete with ‘top tips’, a colouring in sheet for the day, and a cardboard collection box.

Sign up your toddler today