Virtual Santa Dash for Hope House

Popular hospice Santa Dash goes virtual for 2020

The Christmas season at Hope House Children's Hospices will be a little different this year with the annual Nantwich Santa Dash changing its format and going virtual for 2020.

The usual sight of hundreds of Santa's running together through the streets will not be seen this year, but those wanting to pull on a red suit, hat and running trainers and pound the streets around their local area in support of the charity can still so.

The event has over the past nine years raised £30,000 to support seriously ill children and their families across Cheshire, Shropshire, North Wales and Powys.

While Santas will not be getting together, people are encouraged to spread a bit of Christmas cheer by signing up, dress up in the famous suit and hat and hit the streets to take on 5K or 2.5K on Sunday, December 13.

Fundraiser Hannah Robinson said: "The Santa Dash is a highlight in our calendar every year, and while we have had to do things differently this year, we've no doubt that our fantastic supporters will once again get behind us and make this an event to remember.

"We need your support more than ever and look forward to seeing all your pictures of you dressed up as Santa and running in your local area. There will also be a fancy dress competition, so have a think about your festive costume."

The charity, which runs Hope House in Oswestry and Tŷ Gobaith in North Wales, has already suffered losses of more than £1.25 million in fundraised income since April.

"On top of our losses we also have to fund the further ongoing cost of things like PPE, so never has the public's support been more vital to us," said Hannah.

The event is sponsored by Tarporley and Oswestry-based recycling firm RUK Group and the good news is anyone can enter.

Registration for the Santa Dash is £10 for adults and £5 for children, with all those entering getting a goodie bag and of course a special medal.

Sign up today to avoid disappointment as places are limited by visiting hopehouse.org.uk/virtual-santa-dash or call our fundraising office on 01691 671 671.

About Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith

Hope House Children's Hospices provide specialist nursing care and support to more than 750 children aged 0 to 25 years, and their families, who live in Shropshire, Cheshire, North and Mid Wales.

We have two hospices -- Hope House in Oswestry and Tŷ Gobaith in Conwy.

Our dedicated teams support families from diagnosis, throughout the lifetime of their child and beyond. We are here for every mum, dad, brother and sister. At the end of a child's life we are here to make sure their final moments are as comfortable as possible and that their family says goodbye in their own way and in their own time.

We are also here to comfort families and offer bereavement support, whether we've cared for their child during their illness, or they have turned to us after their child's sudden death through any circumstances at all.

Three local families a week face the pain of their child dying. We currently raise more than £6.5 million every year and this enables us to help one in every three of those families.

It is our mission to raise an additional £2.5 million every year by 2025 so we can help every child and family who needs us. Because no one should face the death of a child alone.

Nathan Rowden
Communications Officer