Santas go on the run to raise funds for children's hospice

Santas on the Run, now in its eight year, saw about 400 people welcome the festive season by donning a red suit and bushy beard and taking in up to five 1km laps of Stockeld Park’s Enchanted Forest.

Jointly sponsored by Kettlewell Fuels and Redrow Homes, Santas on the Run is one of Martin House’s key Christmas events and each year raises thousands for children and young people with life-limiting illnesses from across the region.

Events Manager Caroline Hudson said: “We were very lucky this year to have a bright winter morning on which to hold the event and it was great to see so many smiling faces getting warmed up and ready to run.

“Thank you to everyone who took part and helped to make the event a success.

“We currently need in excess of £16,500 a day to provide our services so every penny of sponsorship really does make a difference.”

She added: “We wish all of our Santas a very merry Christmas and look forward to their continued support in the New Year.”

The hospice, based in Boston Spa, has nine bedrooms in the main building and six in Whitby Lodge, which cares for teenagers and young adults up to the age of 30 and sometimes beyond.

Services include respite stays, symptom control, emergency, community and end of life care.

Bereavement support is offered to families, often for two to three years after their child’s death.

We also offer bereavement support to families whose child had a life-limiting condition but did not have the opportunity to use the hospice.

Martin House will soon celebrate 30 years of care and plans are underway for several new events over the next 12 months.

Supporters can find a full list of events and sign up online at www.martinhouse.org.uk.