Big Steps for Little Paws

A fun end-of-term challenge for primary schools — raising life-changing funds for animals in need

Wednesday 15th July 2026 | Millhouses Park, Sheffield

What is Big Steps for Little Paws?

Big Steps for Little Paws is Thornberry Animal Sanctuary’s brand-new schools sponsored walk, created especially for primary schools across Sheffield and the surrounding area.

Schools will join us for a fun, feel-good day at Millhouses Park, where pupils will take on a 2km sponsored walk while helping to raise vital funds for the animals in our care.

It’s the perfect end-of-year celebration — bringing pupils together to move, have fun, and make a real difference for animals in need.

Event details

Date: Wednesday 15th July 2026
Time: From 9.30am
Location: Millhouses Park, Sheffield
Distance: 2km walk
Who can take part: Primary school pupils and staff
Format: Schools will be allocated a start time and set off in waves to keep the route safe and enjoyable for everyone.

The fundraising challenge

Event fundraising target: £10,000

This event isn’t just about the walk — it’s also about what schools can achieve together.

We’ll be running a live fundraising leaderboard on the day, so schools can follow progress and cheer each other on. There will also be recognition awards for schools taking part (details to follow).

All funds raised support Thornberry Animal Sanctuary and the animals who rely on us every day.

Fundraising for Big Steps for Little Paws

This event is all about what schools can achieve together — and we’ve made fundraising as simple as possible.

Our recommended method: JustGiving

We will create a Big Steps for Little Paws JustGiving Campaign, and each participating school will be invited to set up their own fundraising page as part of the campaign.

This allows:

Parents and families to donate easily online
Schools to share a simple link via email and newsletters
Real-time fundraising totals
A live leaderboard on the event day

We’ll provide step-by-step guidance to help schools set up their page — it only takes a few minutes.

Paper sponsorship forms

We understand that some families prefer traditional sponsorship. Schools are welcome to use paper sponsorship forms alongside their online page if they wish.

After the event, schools can send any offline sponsorship they collect to Thornberry Animal Sanctuary, and we will add it to your school’s fundraising total.

Everything schools need to succeed

Once registered, schools will receive:

A simple fundraising guide
Example text for newsletters and parent emails
Sponsorship form templates
Social media graphics and wording

We’re here to support you every step of the way.

Fundraising target

Together, we hope to raise an incredible total for the animals in our care. Every pound raised helps Thornberry continue rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals who need a second chance.

Why take part?

Big Steps for Little Paws gives pupils the chance to:

Celebrate the end of the school year with a meaningful event

Take part in a fun, active challenge with their friends
Learn about kindness, compassion and community responsibility
Support a local animal charity making a real impact

How to register your school

To take part, schools will need to:

Register early — places are limited and start waves will fill quickly
Confirm estimated pupil numbers
Collect sponsorship in the lead-up to the event
Attend on the day at your allocated start time

Register your school below, or email events@thornberryanimalsanctuary.org to request more information.

Leaderboard & Celebration Awards

Big Steps for Little Paws is all about teamwork, kindness and community — and we’ll be celebrating the amazing efforts of every school taking part.

A little friendly competition makes the day even more exciting…

Live fundraising leaderboard

We’ll be running a live fundraising leaderboard on the day, so schools can see the incredible impact they’re making together in real time.

Totals will include both:

Online donations via JustGiving
Offline sponsorship collected by schools

We’ll share regular updates throughout the event and across our social media.

Celebration awards

At the end of the event, we’ll recognise the fantastic achievements of participating schools with a selection of fun awards:

🏆 Top Fundraising School
Awarded to the school that raises the most overall.

🥇 Biggest Team Award
For the school bringing the highest number of pupils.

💚 Pawsome Team Spirit Award
For the school showing the most enthusiasm, creativity and colour on the day.

📣 Community Champion Award
For the school that goes above and beyond in sharing and promoting their fundraising.

Every school is part of the success

Most importantly, every participating school will receive a certificate of thanks to celebrate their involvement and the difference they’ve made for animals in need.

Together, we hope to raise an incredible total for the animals at Thornberry Animal Sanctuary.

What will Thornberry provide?

We make this event as easy as possible for schools to take part.

Once your school is registered, we’ll support you every step of the way. Schools will receive:

A simple event guide
Step-by-step guidance to set up your JustGiving page
Sponsorship form templates
Example text for newsletters and parent emails
Posters and Thornberry branding assets
Certificates for pupils
On-the-day event support and signage

We’ll also be celebrating schools taking part across our social media — please feel free to tag us and share your fundraising journey.

FAQs

How long will the walk take?

The 2km route typically takes around 25-40 minutes at a comfortable pace

Do parents need to attend?

Schools may choose to involve parents/guardians, but this is entirely at the school’s discretion. We’ll provide guidance to help schools plan safely.

Is the route suitable for all ages?

Yes — the route is designed to be manageable for primary-aged pupils, with schools setting off in waves.

Can schools bring banners / wear school colours?

Absolutely — we’d love schools to bring banners, wear school colours, and make it a celebration.