Hemel town centre was resplendent with red and white as entrants, in the first ever Hospice of St Francis Santa Dash, walked or ran the 2.5mile route to raise funds for the Hospice of St Francis.
Emotion was high as around 400 hundred festive Father Christmas’s donned hats and beards, there were even a few elves and a reindeer on hand to get everyone in the mood.
Special guest, Babs from ChilternFM’s breakfast show, kicked off the dash and took part on the day along with Mike Penning MP and our main sponsor, Stephen Jordan from The Snow Centre.
BBC Three Counties presenter Stephen Rhodes joined hundreds of families, young people as well as older people and everyone enjoyed a free breakfast courtesy of Premier Inn. There were even a host of merry dogs walking the route in fancy dress. Stephen even prepared a five minute package which truly sums up the whole atmosphere - listen again here (requires an mp3 player).
Fran Martin, chief elf and event organiser said: “Thank you to all of our magnificent Santa’s, we couldn’t have done it without you. The atmosphere was electric, everyone got into the festive spirit and we were thrilled with the amazing turn out. If we can do this in our first year, who know what next years event will bring!?”
PRIZES:
The Santa who raises the highest amount in sponsor ship money will win a years membership at The Snow Centre (Hemel Hempstead) for 4 people (which is worth £400!)
The highest raised by a team or family will also win a year's membership for 4 people, so keep that sponsorship money coming in.
Click here to look at all the pictures
Thank you to Hamburg’s “Lauf Santa Lauf” event organisers for permissions Image © Wilfried Witters Sport-Presse-Fotos GmbH |
