If you can't find the answer to your question below, we're always happy to help. Please email events@shootingstar.org.uk and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
What is the Shooting Star Space Race?
Shooting Star Space Race is a virtual challenge to get our rocket from Earth to Mars.
Even at its closest point next year, Mars will still be 38.6 million miles away from Earth which even for our intrepid #TeamShootingStar Space Racers is a little far so using another special space formula, we are challenging you to help us complete 38,600 miles in 31 days to make our mission to Mars a success. Based on the success of last year, we may even make it home again…
How does it work?
1. Sign up to take part in Shooting Star Space Race.
2. Follow the simple steps to create a Shooting Star Space Race supporter page where your friends, family and colleagues can track your progress and sponsor you.
3. Once your page is set up you will receive your exclusive Shooting Star Space Race T-shirt!
4. Connect your page to Strava or add your miles manually. For those not using Strava, why not track your weekly miles on your downloadable Mileage Tracker (you’ll be sent this when you sign up) and add them to your page at the end of every week.
5. Get out and start your Shooting Star Space Race.
6. Share your miles with your fellow Space Racers on our Facebook group.
7. Check your progress on the leaderboard and see how close our rocket is to Mars!
How do I take part?
You choose whether you run, walk or cycle (or you can even swim, scoot, skate or skip!), all we ask is that your record your distance, so we can keep a tally of the miles completed and log them at the end of every week (for those using Strava, this will be done automatically but please remember to record your activity).
If you want to use another tracking device such as a Fitbit or the Health app on the iPhone, that’s absolutely fine, just manually log your miles on your Mileage Tracker or add them to your page.
For those who want a target to aim for, we think a great challenge for cyclists is 300 miles throughout March and for runners or walkers 50 miles throughout March. This is just a target; you can of course choose to challenge yourself to more or less.
Can we take part as a team?
Yes of course you can! Whether you sign up with friends, family or colleagues, when you register, you can create a team or join one if it’s already been set up. If you’re in charge of setting up the team, visit our Teams page for a step by step guide to get your Martians assembled.
Is there a registration fee?
Shooting Star Space Race is FREE and there is no minimum sponsorship target although we do ask that you raise what you can. For those who would prefer not to fundraise, we ask that you register by setting up your page and then make a one-off donation starting from £10.
£10 could cover the cost of a story time session in the sensory room. Our sensory rooms are equipped with musical floors, fibre optics, mirrors, lights, bubble tubes and water beds and are the perfect environment to lose yourself in a story.
Every mile you complete and every pound raised will go to ensuring we are here to make every moment count for babies, children and young people living with life-limiting conditions, and their families.
Do I have to fundraise?
Not at all but we do ask that you try to raise what you can. The coronavirus pandemic has had an undeniable impact in terms of the care that we can provide and our ability to fundraise, which means we need your support now more than ever before. For those who would prefer not to fundraise, we ask that you register by setting up your page and then make a one-off donation starting from £10.
If you raise £100 you will receive our exclusive Space Ranger Space Race medal.
Raise £250 and receive our BRAND NEW Shooting Star Children’s Hospices beanie hat!
How will my money help?
£5 could cover the cost of a jingly jangly musical instrument, giving the children we support a chance to get creative and enjoy themselves with guidance from our Music Therapist.
£10 could cover the cost of a story time session in the sensory room. Our sensory rooms are equipped with musical floors, fibre optics, mirrors, lights, bubble tubes and water beds and are the perfect environment to lose yourself in a story.
£15 could cover the cost of a memento teddy bear that reminds children of their sibling when they’re not with them.
£25 could pay for a child’s name to be engraved on a star or leaf to hang on the memory trees in our bereavement gardens, giving families somewhere to visit and remember.
£35 could pay for hand and foot casts and a memory box giving families somewhere to keep and treasure precious moments and memories.
£50 could fund the annual servicing costs of a cold blanket ensuring it is always available for families who want to say goodbye in their own time after their child has died.
£70 could pay for a valuable 1-2-1 dramatherapy session allowing supported children and siblings to identify and express their emotions by engaging in guided play. They can develop resilience and learn new coping strategies.
£100 could help pay from a crisis visit for a Community Nurse during a medical emergency.
£120 could allow a family to stay in a family bedroom at the hospice giving them the chance to say goodbye in their own time.
£250 could pay for a month’s worth of supplies for art therapy sessions, allowing children to explore their thoughts and worries in a safe and suitable environment.
£500 could pay for a specialist nurse to talk through the transition period from hospital to hospice, or alternate provisions for end-of-life care, covering all the options to ensure the family is supported through the process.
Do you have any resources to help my fundraising?
Absolutely, visit the tools and advice section of our website or get in touch.. We’ll also be featuring lots of hints and tips on our Facebook group so make sure you JOIN.
Who are Shooting Star Children’s Hospices?
We’re a leading children’s hospice charity caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and their families across Surrey and London. We support families from diagnosis to end of life and throughout bereavement with a range of nursing, practical, emotional and medical care.
It costs £8.8 million a year to maintain our current level of care and just 11% of that income comes from central government funding, so we rely on our supporters’ generosity to keep the service running.
For more information, please visit our website.
Space Race safety
With the ever-changing world we are currently in, we ask that you ensure all activity adheres to the current COVID-19 Government Guidelines around events and social distancing when taking part in the Shooting Star Space Race.