11 year old Thomas inspired to fundraise for Hospice by wearing a dress!

At just 11 years old, Thomas is proving that age is no barrier to making an impact.

After a hospital visit where he witnessed children undergoing cancer treatment, and after his friend’s father, Daniel Dyra, died of the disease, Thomas decided upon an inventive way of raising money for the Charities who supported him.

With Movember out of the question – growing a moustache at his age wasn’t an option Thomas came up with his own creative challenge: wearing a dress every day throughout November to raise funds for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity and Cancer Research.

Thomas explained;

“I wanted to do something that would both surprise, inspire, make people laugh and that others thought I wouldn’t do.”

Since beginning the challenge, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Friends, family, and the wider community have rallied around him. Even when one child remarked: “You must be a girl if you’re wearing a dress”, Thomas was unfazed. His confident response? “That’s bonkers – clothes are just clothes!”

Daniel’s loved ones expressed their gratitude, moved by the thoughtfulness of this young fundraiser. Stephanie Hall, Thomas’s mother commented:

“Thomas has always embraced the unconventional, but this challenge wasn’t just about breaking norms – it was about spreading joy while supporting a meaningful cause.”

What started as a modest target of £250, it quickly grew and donations poured in, surpassing his goal within days. Thomas raised his target to £500, and then again to £700 as support continued to climb. Each donation, message of encouragement, and cheerful laugh from his bold outfit choices fuels his challenge.

Sarah Clayton, Community Fundraiser, expressed her admiration for Thomas:

“Thomas is proving that compassion and courage can inspire change. His creative approach to fundraising has brought his community together, and his message is clear: small actions can lead to big results. Every dress, every smile, and every donation is making a difference. Let’s cheer Thomas on as he continues his challenge – he’s already made us all incredibly proud!”

If you would like to support Thomas’s challenge, visit his fundraising page here. Together, we work towards making every moment count for patients and their families.

If you, younger members of your family or your school have been inspired and would like to fundraise for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, please contact Sarah from our Community Fundraising team, email  cf@arhc.org.uk  or call 01223 675888 for fundraising support.