Hundreds tackle Shrewsbury Santa dash for Severn Hospice

The 2.5 kilometre Salop Santa Dash course took runners around Salop Leisure and the adjoining Love2Stay glamping and touring resort.

The fun run collected around £2,000 through its entry fee, all of which will go towards Severn Hospice.

Salop Leisure’s marketing manager Ed Glover organised the event, which was supported by Rybrook MINI Shrewsbury.

Ed said that their first Santa dash had been such a successful event, they'll definitely be doing it "bigger and better" in 2018.

"We love to give back to the local community, run events for families and support as many charities as possible," he said. "We also like to get local businesses working together.

"We had staff members and the general public running the course. The eldest was around 60, with the youngest around two or three. There was a good variety of people – we're really pleased.

"it was a really smooth event as well. We haven't had any complaints or anything like that and some people had never been here before. We've had around 300 people take part this year and I think, through word of mouth, we could double that next year."

Severn Hospice is one of the charities that is very close to the company's heart, Ed said.

"Salop Leisure have worked with Severn Hospice in the past. There's some members of staff who have been affected by cancer and Severn Hospice were great. It's a charity close to the business's heart."

Emma Robinson, marketing co-ordinator for Rybrook MINI Shrewsbury, said: “We are very pleased to be supporting the Salop Santa Dash to raise funds for such a fantastic local cause.”

Lucy Ruff, Severn Hospice’s fundraising manager, explained that the hospice needs to raise £7 million a year or £24,000 a day to provide services to more than 2,000 people across Shropshire and Mid Wales annually.

“We support local people and their families when they need it most, either in the hospice or in their home,” she said.

“Severn Hospice is delighted to be the chosen charity for the Salop Santa Dash and we are looking forward to getting people involved in celebrating Christmas whilst at the same time raising funds.”

The Salop Santa Dash is just one of an action-packed programme of events planned by Salop Leisure and Love2Stay to celebrate Christmas this year.

Other highlights will be a 16-metre by nine metre ice rink, the Shropshire Handmade and Vintage Christmas Fair and a special Santa’s Grotto.