Playing Santa For A Good Claus
21 November 2012
I'd encourage people to have a go at one of the Santa runs and raise sponsorship, as a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.
”In the run up to the annual Rainbows Children's Hospice 'Santas on the Run' events, a group of Santa's met yesterday (Thursday November 22) to limber up at the University of Derby to raise awareness for a great cause.
Over thirty hospice volunteers, and University staff and students geared up in festive Santa suits in order to complete a series of fun exercises which took place on the all-weather pitch at the University's Kedleston Road site
East Midland's charity Rainbows Children's Hospice provides care and support for seriously ill children and young people.
It holds annual Santa fun runs to raise vital funds for its work, with all the runners being given a Santa suit.
This year's runs will be held at:
- Elvaston Castle, Derbyshire - at 11am on Sunday 9 December (2.2 and 4.4 mile circular routes)
- Rushcliffe Country Park, Nottingham - 11am on Sunday 16 December (2.5 mile route).
The University of Derby hosted yesterdays warm-up session as part of its sponsorship, now in its fourth year, of the Rainbows Children's Hospice events.
Watching the Santa's on the day were William Furlong, and his mother Alison from Derby, who have benefitted from the incredible service provided by the charity.
William, aged two, has an extremely rare life-limiting brain condition called Lissencephaly, his condition brings with it a range of health problems, including visual impairment and a severe form of epilepsy.
Alison said: "Christmas is a special time for most families, but for our family, time together at Christmas is incredibly precious and emotional, and is something we can never take for granted.
"We feel very lucky to have this time all together, and we are so grateful that William continues to be an amazing little fighter."
Paula North, Rainbows Community Fundraiser, added: "The University has been a great supporter of our Santas on the Run events, which are an important part of our regular fundraising.
"It costs the charity £4.5 million a year to provide care for life-limited children and we receive very little government funding. I'd encourage people to have a go at one of the Santa runs and raise sponsorship, as a great way to get into the Christmas spirit."
To enter either of the Santas on the Run events go to website www.rainbows.co.uk/christmas2012/ and book online, or telephone Rainbows on telephone 01509 638000.
All entrants will receive a free Santa suit as part of their ticket price. The cost of entry for adults is £15.00 (ticket and suit posted) or £10 (collect on the day), and £10 (posted) and £5 (collect on day) for under-13s. Children under 13 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Adult entrants are asked to try and raise a minimum of £20 in sponsorship.
