Meallmore Raises Thousands for Cash for Kids

Colleagues and residents from Meallmore’s care homes across Scotland have come together to raise thousands of pounds for charity as part of our first Reindeer Run, collectively travelling the virtual distance to the North Pole and back in a week-long festive challenge.

The initiative saw participants from 27 Meallmore care homes across the country work together to cover a total distance of 4,800 miles, more than double the original target. Alongside the miles logged, the Reindeer Run raised £2,260 for Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas and resulted in the donation of over 250 gifts to support children and families in local communities during the festive period.

A Collective Challenge Across Scotland

The Reindeer Run was designed as a fully inclusive challenge, enabling residents, colleagues and families to take part in ways that suited different abilities and settings. The original goal was to virtually travel 2,250 miles, the distance from Meallmore’s first care home in Inverness to the North Pole. By the end of the week, participants had collectively travelled more than twice that distance.

Across the seven days, colleagues and residents logged their daily activity, which was tracked on a shared North Pole progress map. This allowed all homes to follow progress in real time and helped maintain motivation and connection across the Meallmore community.

The challenge brought together colleagues from a wide range of roles, supported by residents and families, with homes encouraging participation through daily activities, friendly competition and creative engagement.

Movement, Inclusion and Adaptation

Participants covered miles in a variety of ways, reflecting the inclusive nature of the initiative. Colleagues walked, jogged and cycled outdoors, while residents contributed through indoor walking routes, wheelchair activity, adapted stationary cycling and supported movement sessions.

Homes also introduced creative adaptations to ensure everyone could take part safely and meaningfully. These included group activities such as hand-to-hand bauble passing, sleigh-themed craft sessions, decorating activities and adapted chair-based movement. These approaches allowed residents with varying levels of mobility to contribute to the collective goal while enjoying the social and wellbeing benefits of taking part.

The Reindeer Run was designed not only as a fundraiser, but also as a way to promote movement, connection and shared purpose during the lead-up to Christmas.

Fundraising for Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas

All funds raised through the Reindeer Run were donated to Cash for Kids – Mission Christmas, a charity that supports children and families who may otherwise struggle to afford presents or festive essentials.

In addition to financial donations, Meallmore care homes acted as collection points for toys and gifts, providing colleagues, families and visitors with another way to contribute. In total, over 250 gifts were donated across the homes, with several locations reporting particularly strong local support.

The combination of fundraising and gift donations ensured that the impact of the Reindeer Run extended beyond the care homes themselves, supporting families across the communities Meallmore serves.

Friendly Competition and Daily Recognition

To keep momentum high throughout the week, daily awards were introduced across a range of categories, including best dressed team, most festive spirit, best activity and best decorated space. These categories encouraged creativity and collaboration while maintaining a sense of friendly competition between homes.

Colleagues and residents embraced the festive element of the challenge, with Christmas costumes, themed activities and group participation featuring heavily throughout the week. Daily updates shared across the organisation helped maintain engagement and highlighted the effort and creativity being shown in different homes.

Standout Moments Across the Homes

Highlights from the week included teams taking their activities into local communities, festive group walks, daily themed challenges and strong local engagement in gift donations.

At Airthrey Care Home, colleagues dressed as Santa and Mrs Claus alongside reindeer-themed participants while taking to the streets to log miles. At Kynnaird House in Fraserburgh, colleagues and residents completed daily outdoor activity sessions, often in different festive outfits, while Belleaire House Care Home in Greenock donated more than 70 gifts to Mission Christmas.

These moments reflected the enthusiasm and commitment shown across the homes and demonstrated how the challenge was embraced at a local level while contributing to a shared national goal.

Benefits Beyond Fundraising

While the financial and charitable outcomes were significant, the Reindeer Run also delivered wider benefits for residents and colleagues. The challenge supported physical movement, social interaction and emotional wellbeing, particularly during a busy and often reflective time of year.

Residents benefited from increased activity, shared experiences and a sense of involvement in something bigger than their individual home. Colleagues reported strong team spirit, connection across departments and a renewed sense of purpose in working together towards a collective goal.

The Reindeer Run also strengthened connections between homes, with teams following each other’s progress, sharing ideas and celebrating successes together.

Leadership Reflection

Commenting on the success of the Reindeer Run, Meallmore Chief Executive Officer Cillian Hennessey praised the commitment shown by colleagues and residents across the organisation.

He highlighted the creativity, camaraderie and festive spirit displayed throughout the week, noting that the challenge brought together homes, families and local communities in support of a meaningful cause. He also acknowledged the efforts of everyone who contributed miles, donations or support in any form, emphasising the positive impact the initiative would have on children and families supported by the charity.

A Shared Achievement

The Reindeer Run brought together colleagues, residents, families and communities from across Meallmore’s 27 homes, resulting in a collective achievement that went far beyond the original target.

With 4,800 miles travelled, £2,260 raised and over 250 gifts donated, the initiative demonstrated what can be achieved when people work together with a shared purpose. It also reinforced Meallmore’s commitment to inclusion, community engagement and creating meaningful experiences for those living and working within its homes.

As the festive season continues, the Reindeer Run stands as a strong example of how care homes can play an active role in supporting wider communities while enhancing wellbeing and connection within their own walls.