High spirits for damp Santa Fun Run

Despite soggy conditions there were plenty of sunny smiles

It might have been cold and wet, but spirits were high in Spiceball Park on Sunday morning as over 350 people took a festive run, jog or walk in aid of the Katharine House Hospice.

The annual Santa Fun Run saw people donning their Santa suits and running with friends, families or representing local companies at one of the Hospice’s biggest annual fundraising events.   Many of those taking part were reusing Santa suits from previous years as the hospice took a step closer to a greener event this year.

A team of six represented Spratt Edicott solicitors.   They had raised £320 and were taking part in the £5k run.

Mum and dad Anna and Mark were running with Rosie and Harry.   Eight-year-old Rosie had wanted to take part for a couple of years, having joined in with the school’s Santa Fun Run, but this year was the first year the family had been able to enter.   Younger brother Harry was looking forward to the run and told Banbury FM: “I’m quite speedy.   When I run my shoes light up!”

After a warm up the fun runners took to the course, with the £1.5k route Santa’s released first.

A target of raising £25,000 has been set for this year’s event with the Hospice understanding the cost-of-living crisis has made things difficult for people – something that also directly affects the Katharine House.

CEO Emma Radley said: “People still join in but they just can’t raise as much.   When you used to donate £5 or £10 to a friend doing this, now you can only afford £2.50 or £5.

“But the effort people put into this is huge and we are so grateful to them.

“The costs are going up for us as they are for everyone else.  Gas and electricity are just as expensive for us, and we use quite a lot of it.”

Planning for the Santa Fun Run begins shortly after Christmas each year with the bulk of the planning happening mid-summer.

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Published: 03/12/2023 08:24pm by Banbury FM Newsteam

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