Santas come to town for festive fundraising run

Over 350 runners pulled on their santa suits and hats to take part in St Catherine’s Hospice Santa Run at Horsham Park on November 15.

The festive fundraisers completed a 2km route twice around the park before being rewarded with a well deserved medal and mince pie as they crossed the finish line.

The first santa to cross the finish line was Tristan (pictured below) and also amongst the runners was Paul Morley who raised a brilliant £300 as part of the Santa Run.

Michaela Clements, events fundraiser at St Catherine’s, said: “It was great to see so many Horsham residents don their Santa suits and hats on Sunday and come out in support of their local hospice.

“It costs St Catherine’s £180,000 to fund our care over the 12 days of Christmas, so everything our runners raise brings us one step closer to that target. We couldn’t provide care free of charge to local people and their family and friends without the support of our local community, so I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who took part - whether a runner or spectator.”

All money raised from the Horsham Santa Run will help St Catherine’s to continue to provide support local patients facing a terminal diagnosis and their family and friends.

Last year, St Catherine’s received 465 referrals from Horsham residents and year round, 80 per cent of the care they provide is in the comfort and familiarity of patient’s own homes in Horsham and beyond. This at home care becomes especially important during the festive season when St Catherine’s supports families facing what could be their final Christmas together.

If you missed out on Horsham’s Santa Run but would still like to don a santa suit, there’s still time with two more runs next weekend. The K2 Leisure Centre in Crawley and Caterham School in Caterham are both hosting St Catherine’s Santa Runs on Sunday November 22, starting at 10am. Pre-event registration costs just £13 for adults, £8 for children (under 16) and £30 for a family of four. Alternatively, you can enter on the day with registration up until 9.45am. On the day entry prices are: £17 per adult, £10 for children (under 16) and £40 for a family of four.

For more information and to register visit www.stch.org.uk/santarun or call 01293 583063.

Report and pictures contributed by St Catherine’s Hospice.