It's ready, steady, ho ho ho in race to raise over £3,000

WHAT'S red, white and a blur?

Participants in St Luke's Hospice's annual Santa Dash, that's what, as they hurtled along borough roads at the weekend.

There was not a sleigh or reindeer in sight at Sunday's sponsored run tackled by a flurry of 130 volunteers in Father Christmas costumes who ho-hohot footed it around the borough to raise cash for the Kenton-based charity.

Competitors could sprint, jog or walk the two-and-a-half mile course that started and ended at The Red Brick Cafe in Wealdstone.

Everyone who entered was handed the famous suit, flowing white beard and moustache, floppy cap and belt.

Sixty-seven of the runners were pupils, staff and parents from The Sacred Heart Language College for

Girls, in High Street, Wealdstone, led by student Etain O'Shea, whose mother, Bernie, lost her battle with liver cancer several weeks ago.

Mrs O'Shea spent her last days in the care of the hospice in Kenton Grange, Kenton.

Esther Gillham, St Luke's Hospice community fundraising team leader, said: "The event was a huge success, with 130 people taking part, as well as a few dogs on leads. Once all the sponsorship comes in, we hope to raise at least £3,000."