A CHILDREN’s hospice in Hampton is gearing up for an astronomical fundraising mission.

The virtual challenge will ‘lift-off’ in March – with volunteers walking, running, cycling, and scooting as many miles as it takes to reach the moon.

Using a special formula – of one Earth mile to 50 space ones – the charity will aim to cover 4,777 miles in a month.

The mission is inspired by eight-year-old ‘Chief Astronaut’, Nicholas, a former patient at the charity’s Guildford based hospice.

Nicholas was born premature with a chronic condition affecting his lungs, heart and bowel.

He must have weekly immunoglobulin infusions in both legs to help protect his immune system, which requires time in hospital and recovering after.

Last year he built a space rocket in the hospice, which inspired the charity to give other children the “chance to reach for the stars”.

Nicholas building his rocket in the hospice

Nicholas building his rocket in the hospice

Alexa Dizon, head of events at the hospice, said:

“We’re super excited about the Shooting Star Space Race, particularly at a time when we’re all still feeling so very far apart. Although we may not be able to come together physically, we can only make our mission a success by working together as a team – a super Space Race team.

“So, we hope to have lots of budding astronauts eager to sign up and cover as many miles as they can over the month of March. With our mission now launched it’s really easy to sign up and once you do, you’ll be taken to mission control where you’ll be given lots of fundraising tips and ideas on how to get started on your Earth miles!”

You can sign up for the cosmic challenge here: www.shootingstar.org.uk/event/shooting-star-space-race/