1700 running Santas raise record breaking amounts for children’s hospice

BROMLEY, U.K. - Feb. 22, 2014 - PRLog -- Newly released figures show that a record breaking £57,481 was raised in the Oxford Santas on the Run event in December last year – helping Helen and Douglas House (the world’s first children’s hospice which opened in 1982) with their important work providing care for children and young adults with life-limiting conditions, and support for their families.

Santas on the Run - where volunteers dressed as Santa run, walk or jog two miles through Oxford City - is now in its seventh year. In 2013 there were more participants than ever, with Oxford Council allowing an extra 200 Santas to take part in the race – upping the number of participants from 1500 to 1700 – and enabling more funds to be raised.

The Oxford event was sponsored for the 4th consecutive year by Foresters, the international financial services organisation, and is an important fundraiser for Helen and Douglas House.

Steve Dilworth, MD, Member Network UK from Foresters, who also regularly takes part in the event with his family, said: “The Helen and Douglas House Santas on the Run is a great event to have been able to be a part of for the past four years and with more Santas hitting the streets than ever, 2013 was no exception.

“It was brilliant to see so many families out to support such a great cause within their local community. Helen and Douglas House make a huge difference to the children and families it supports, and Foresters are proud to be able to sponsor this event and contribute towards the fantastic amounts raised for the hospice”.

Poppy Hanbury, Senior Community and Events Fundraiser for Helen and Douglas House added: “We are thrilled to have hit our highest amount raised from the Santas on the Run in 2013. It was wonderful to see so many people braving a cold winter’s morning to raise money for the charity and help support over 300 families in our catchments area.”

Registrations for the 2014 Santas on the Run event open in October – the date is yet to be confirmed, but it will be the first or second weekend in December.  For more information about Santas on the Run, call 01865 799150 or email santa@helenanddouglas.org.uk (mailto:phanbury@helenanddouglas.org.uk). To find out more about Helen & Douglas House Hospice, please visit: http://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/.