Life will be just a little bit brighter for sick children this Christmas thanks to West Cumbrian charity Team Evie.

The team is set to launch its annual book appeal on November 29 and is also planning its first Santa Dash and festive fun day.

This year’s books will go to Jigsaw Children’s Hospice in Carlisle.

People can sponsor books available from the Team Evie website. Stickers with their names will be added to the books to mark their sponsorship.

Team Evie founder Greg Johnston said: “The book project is a brilliant appeal for people to help us provide a mobile library for sick children in our region.

“Each year we donate a trolley full of books to a local children’s ward, paid for by the sponsorship of our wonderful supporters.

“The benefits of reading to poorly children are incredible. It helps them to get better faster, it strengthens family bonds, helps provide normality in times of stress and encourages all the family to be involved as siblings and other family members can read to the poorly child too.”

The Santa Dash and fun day, sponsored by Myers & Bowman at Lillyhall, will be at Workington Cricket Club on Sunday, December 15.

Entry will be £5 for children, who will run up to a mile wearing a Santa hat. Each child will receive a medal. This will be followed by the fun day with Santa, games, festive food and drink, a magician and gifts to buy – all in the name of helping sick children and their families in the area.