Festive fun run expected to raise thousands for Alice House Hospice in Hartlepool

The yuletide athletes limbered up for the annual Santa Run in Ward Jackson Park on a cold but bright December morning, raising thousands of pounds for the Alice House Hospice in Wells Avenue in the process.

The final total of money raised is not yet known, but it could be up to £5,000.

The event was first held in 2007, making 2019 the 13th time it has been staged. The emphasis is on fun, rather than on winning.

It was a great day out for youngsters, with free mince pies at the Place in the Park cafe, a DJ, hospice mascot Alice Mouse and of course, as many Santas as any child could wish to see at once.

Families from all over Hartlepool, many of whom have had loved ones who were helped by the hospice, took part in the fun. They really got into the spirit of it, with many of them taking elfies.

The event was organised by Janice Forbes, Alice House’s community fundraiser, who was delighted with the event.

She said: “It’s a family fun run to get people into the festive spirit. It’s just a lap of the park. It’s about half a mile.

“We’ve raised four to five thousand pounds for the hospice. We’ll have to wait until all the sponsor money comes in to get the final total.

“We’ve been sponsored by four Hartlepool companies; Property Webmasters, Fire 97, Readhead Associates and Publicity Seekers. All the money raised goes directly to our patients’ care services and supporting their families.

“It’s a great event. It gets everybody into the festive spirit and we always have it at the beginning of December.

“It was a great turnout. I’d like to thank everybody; the sponsors, Hartlepool College for providing the stewards, Gavin Lancaster for providing the music and Maria Seymour in the Place in the Park cafe.”

The real Santa was reported to have been watching and was very pleased with all the boys and girls.