Hundreds of people took to the streets of Oswestry and Newtown – dressed as Santa as both towns hosted charity fundraising Santa runs yesterday.
More than 1,000 Santas and 200 little helpers took part in the two-and-a-half mile Ho Ho Hope House Santa run in Oswestry, in aid of the town’s Hope House children’s hospice.
Right: Robin Jones and Lisa and Bethan Lougreen get ready ready for the Newtown run
The spectacle of a sea of Father Christmases running through the town’s streets is set to raise around £40,000 – the majority going to the hospice, with 10 per cent going to the Oswestry Olympians appeal for an all-weather athletics track.
Serious runners were joined by hundreds of fun runners and youngsters from Hope House who were pushed around the course in their decorated wheelchairs.
First home was Richard Nunn, from Tenbury Wells, in 16 mins 37 secs, with David Newton from Oswestry Olympians two seconds behind.
But for most people, completing the two and a half mile course and raising sponsorship were the main goals.
Vanessa Lloyd from Hope House said: “We had almost £20,000 in sponsorship in yesterday and that was around half of the runners.”
About 800 runners and walkers, all dressed up as Father Christmas or his helpers, converged on Newtown for the town’s sixth annual Santa Run.
The main street was swamped by a sea of red and white at the start of yesterday’s event that raised around £10,000 for Dial A Ride, the area’s community transport scheme, and thousands more for other charities and good causes.
Tammy Sinden, from Dial A Ride, said organisers were pleased with the turnout, particularly after it had been announced earlier this year that the event would be taking a rest this year.
“There was so much popular demand for us to continue with the run in Newtown we reinstated it and, although we didn’t get the thousands we’ve had in the past, we’re pleased we did go ahead with it,” she said.
The winner, in a time of 22mins 16 secs, was Lee Morris, from Swansea.
Did you take part? View our picture gallery from the Santa runs
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