Dorothy House’s ever-popular Santa and Elf Run is back for 2023. Taking place on Sunday 3 December, the event will see Santas and Elves complete the 2.5 or 5km route at around the Hospice in Winsley as a walk or run, all to raise funds for vital end of life care in Bath, North Somerset and North and West Wiltshire.
This festive family fun run is open to all ages and takes place along a 2.5km course through the beautiful grounds of Dorothy House Hospice and starting and ending at Winsley Cricket Club. Participants can choose to do the 2.5km route once or twice to make it a 5km run.
The fun run starts at 11am on 3 December with registration open from 9:30am and a warm-up session at 10.50am. Sticking to the same entry costs as last year’s fab event, it is £15 for 12+ years and £7.50 for 2-11 year olds. All 12+ year old participants will receive a Santa suit and 2-11 year olds will receive an Elf hat as part of their registration.
The festive clothing is included in the entry fee plus refreshments after the run. All runners aged 16 years and under must be accompanied by an adult.
All adult entrants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £30 or make a donation in lieu of sponsorship to help support patient care at Dorothy House.
Last year’s event raised an incredible £17,000 for the Hospice helping staff continue to deliver outstanding care to patients and families right across Bath and Wiltshire. Over £6,000 of this was raised by Kevin, his family and his ABInBev colleagues who all took part in support of Kevin who at the time was under the care of Dorothy House.
Carolyn, Kevin’s wife, had this to say about the event. “When my husband Kevin was told he only had weeks left, he wanted to do something to raise money for Dorothy House. We saw the Santa and Elf Run on their website and thought that was perfect, and maybe we’d raise a couple of hundred pounds!
“I didn’t really know what to expect from the day and wondered if we’d done the right thing. But I had no need to worry, what a lovely day it was, family, friends and work colleagues all came out to offer support. It was full of smiles from the starting warm up, to the public waving from the bus at a whole load of Santa’s, to the warming soup and roll at the end, and the snow machine was a big hit and provided lots of photo opportunities. We left with smiles and so many memories.
“The couple of hundred pounds we hoped we’d raise turned into thousands, but even if you think you can’t raise much money, just taking part all counts, it’s a very special way to spend a morning in December!
“Kevin went on to be an inpatient in January and February. The care he received was amazing, not only on the medical side, but people having the time for him, I will be forever grateful to Dorothy House that he was able to spend that time there. We watched the beautiful firefly lights swaying in the breeze in the evening, and the snow drops appearing outside his room during the day.
“We’ve all heard about Dorothy House, but until you’re involved with them you don’t know what a special place it is.”
Dan Varley, Community and Events Fundraiser at Dorothy House, said, “Christmas is such a special time here at Dorothy House, and we’re so pleased to be once again hosting the fantastic Santa and Elf Run in partnership with our wonderful friends at Winsley Cricket Club.
“Funds raised at this event allow us to continue to deliver outstanding care to patients and their loved ones just like Kevin and his family and it is a brilliant community event for the whole family to get involved in.”
This is your chance to be part of something special. Get ready to don a Santa suit or elf hat, have fun and raise some money for your much-loved Hospice. Sign up today: https://www.dorothyhouse.org.uk/get-involved/events/santa-elf-run-2023/