HO, ho, go!
Four hundred fundraisers, including children from eight schools, dressed as Father Christmas for St Luke’s Hospice’s annual Santa Dash on Sunday.
They ran and walked a three-mile circuit beginning and ending at Nower Hill High School in George V Avenue, Pinner, at 11am.
Rowan Lindsay from Lawrence Grant Chartered Accountants, the main sponsors for the event, said: “It was great to support the fantastic work done by St Luke’s Hospice.
“The genuine caring attitude of the nurses, caterers, therapists, administrators, cleaners, builders and all volunteers are what makes this perhaps the most effective and life changing charity.
“The most enjoyable part was running alongside all of the children who took part and obviously dressing up as Santa.
“I also kept my costume on for most of the day afterwards.”
St Luke’s Hospice’s director of fundraising Pam Russell said: “Four hundred Santas filling the streets of Pinner was a fantastic sight!
“It is great that such a wide range of people came together to show their care by raising much needed funds for patients at St Luke’s.
“Families and children from all sections of the community enjoyed the festive event which raised over £7000.”
All competitors enjoyed a well-deserved mince pie, medal and hot drink after crossing the finishing line.
Hannah David, the Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Harrow West, said: “Having lost my own father to cancer earlier this year, I know how important the services provided by St Luke’s are.
“It is a cause very close to my heart, and that is why I was thrilled to take part in this year’s Santa Dash – to help raise awareness and much needed funds for the Hospice.
“For me, the most enjoyable aspect of the day was the sense of community that the event fostered.
“With over 400 Santas present the atmosphere was electric, and there was a real feeling of a community coming together for the greater good.”
