Children’s Hospice South West’s (CHSW) annual Santas on the Run event is back but not as you know it! Taking place over the weekend of the 11-13 December, supporters will be able to choose their distance, route and their festive dress.
CHSW’s festive fundraisers are usually held at Bristol Harbourside, RHS Rosemoor in Devon and the Eden Project in Cornwall. The events see thousands of people join together raising vital funds for CHSW and its three children’s hospices including Charlton Farm in North Somerset. The local children’s charity has taken the decision to hold it virtually this Christmas due to the pandemic.
Kiley Pearce, Events Fundraiser from CHSW, explained, “This year, Santas on the Run is going freestyle! Whilst we can’t all be together, we can still spread some joy and laughter and we’d encourage everyone to go crackers with their festive fundraising! Whether you twinkle in tinsel or rock it like Rudolph, you can get creative with your costume and complete a distance of your choice, your way.”
Together with community partner Whirlwind Sports, CHSW is asking this year’s participants to raise sponsorship or make a donation to enable the charity to continue to provide care for children and families when they need it most, whether that be in the hospice, at home, or virtually.
Kiley continued, “Over the weekend of 11-13 December we will have a warm-up for people to join online each day as well as lots of prizes including for the best-dressed family, child and dog! Individuals who raise £15 or more will also receive a medal. It’s undoubtedly been a challenging year and we would encourage people to get involved however they like this Christmas but most importantly help us raise money to continue supporting local children living with life-limiting conditions and their families.”
Registration is free! Simply register your interest at www.chsw.org.uk/santas and join the charity’s event on Facebook by searching ‘Santas on the Run – goes freestyle’ www.facebook.com/events/649916122169450