Sign up for festive fun in charity Santa Dash

Anyone can join the fun and take to the streets to dash 2.5 miles in aid of of the hospice charity – all you need to do is turn up at 9am at the Riverside Shopping Centre, opposite the Chiquen restaurant, to register. It’s £35 for a family, £15 an adult or £5 for children (cash only) and you’ll be given your Santa suit so you’re all ready to dash!

Young, old, babies in buggies, families and even Christmassy pet dogs are all welcome. There will be a hot drink and mince pie at the finish line for adults and treats for children and dashing dogs!

Emma Young from Adeyfield, Hemel Hempstead is going to be taking part with two of her children, Louis, 11, and eight-year-old Daisy, to thank the hospice for the support its given her this year during treatment for breast cancer.

Mum-of-two Emma said: “I’ve not been well enough to do any fundraising earlier this year but am feeling stronger now and doing Santa Dash is my way of thanking the Hospice for all they’ve done for me and my children; it’s my way of giving back.

“My children are very excited about dressing up as Santa and even my older daughter, Grace, 16, who’s working in Marks and Spencer in the Marlowes on Sunday hopes she’ll be able to recognise us as we go past in our Santa suits!”

Hemel MP Mike Penning, a patron of The Hospice of St Francis, will also be dashing with his family to show his support for the charity and Heart F DJ Daniel Fox will be putting the Santas in a festive mood with some Christmassy tunes.

The money raised at Santa Dash goes to provide care for patients, and support for their loved ones, facing a life-limiting illness at The Hospice of St Francis.

Just £25 could fund a bereavement counselling session for a child whilst £50 funds an outpatient visit by a doctor.

Any additional donations to help fund the work of the Hospice at Christmas would be most welcome on the day whilst the top fundraising family will get the chance to experience winter all year with annual family membership to Hemel’s Snow Centre.