Sea of Santas raises £42,000 for Brian House Children’s Hospice

Nearly 1,700 Santas turned Blackpool’s promenade into a sea of red at this year’s Blackpool Santa Dash.

The annual event is expected to have raised more than £42,000 for Brian House Children’s Hospice once all sponsorship has come in from everyone taking part.

Blackpool Santa Dash is a longstanding event in the town’s festive calendar, attracting people from across the Fylde coast and beyond for a 3k ‘dash’ from Sandcastle Waterpark to The Manchester pub and back.

Organised by Brian House, every penny raised through sponsorship helps to provide outstanding children’s hospice care for local families who need it across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

Events Fundraiser, Danny Hickes, said:

“We’re absolutely delighted at the number of people who joined us on a cold December morning to run, job or walk along our famous promenade, dressed as Santa and helping us to raise an incredible amount of money for our charity.

 

“As always, the atmosphere was amazing, with festive music and entertainment from Andy Bolton Productions and singer Melissa Miles. It really got everyone into the Christmas spirit.

 

“It was particularly wonderful to see some of our own children and Brian House colleagues joining in, showing everyone taking part just what a real difference they are helping us to make to local people.

 

“We are blown away by the generosity of everyone who joined us and chose to either make a donation or raise sponsorship. Every penny really does add up, and help us to provide our very specialist care to our area’s most fragile children.”

After crossing the finishing line, each Santa was rewarded with a chocolate medal and a cup of hot chocolate.

And event sponsor The Kentown Wizard Foundation provided an extra special gift for some of the people taking part – each participant was entered into a draw, and three lucky people were presented with £250 cash prizes and five won a £50 Smyths Toys voucher.

Danny added:

"We are so lucky to have the support of our friends at The Kentown Wizard Foundation who, for the second year in a row, has the extra mile by providing a special gift to the people who support our charity.

 

“A huge thank you to them, to every single Santa who joined us at the weekend and to the team of volunteers who helped to make Blackpool Santa Dash another exceptional event.”

You can see a selection of photos from this event on the Central Radio NW Facebook page here: www.fb.com/centralradiodab