**New date** Santa Dash or Dawdle

Sunday 28 January 2018
11.00am

Hollingworth Lake
Rakewood Road
Littleborough
OL15 0AQ

Details:

Visitors to Hollingworth Lake will be greeted by an unseasonal sight on Sunday 28 January, as hundreds of red and white suited Springhill Santas show that not even snow, ice and plummeting temperatures can stop them supporting Springhill Hospice.

For the last 12 years, the second Sunday in December has seen hundreds of Santas, San-teens and San-tinies, as well as four legged fundraisers, dashing or dawdling around sensational scenic paths around Hollingworth Lake, which is just one of the jewels in the crown of the Borough. But the Dash or Dawdle arranged as usual for 2017 just wasn't to be, seeing this festival fundraising being postponed for the very first time.

Lillie Winterbottom, Springhill Hospice Fundraising said: "The snow, strong wind and dropping temperatures proved too much for our Santas to endure, even for such a fantastic cause. 

"Even with the Met Office downgrading the forecast from amber to yellow, the bitterly cold overnight temperatures along with the snow already on the ground, gave us great cause for concern.

"The prediction of ice developing overnight, covering the lake's paths, along with no gritting facilities for the Visitors Centre's warren of roads and car parks, we simply couldn't risk the safety of our Santas. After taking advice from the Met Office and the rangers that look after the beauty spot and with a heavy heart, we postponed the event."

However, Springhill's Santas were not happy to let Jack Frost beat them, scuppering their efforts to have a good fun, healthy and community spirited family event for the Hospice. A heart-warming 95% of those registered for the December event have decided to suit up, boot up and celebrate Christmas again in January 2018.

Over the last few weeks the fundraising team have been working hard to reorganise the Dash or Dawdle and are pleased to announce that it will now take place on Sunday 28th January.

The Hospice has received the stamp of approval from nearly all of those Santa who registered for the event in December which means that nearly 600 Santas will be taking part in 'Dash or Dawdle - Santas Rebooted'.

Lillie said: "The uptake of our January jog or jaunt, dash or dawdle, sprint or stroll, is testament to the 'help at all costs' attitude of our supporters, we are so very proud of them all. In fact, the few who can not take part are unable to get involved due to prior engagements."

Santas who did not register for the event in December can still take part in the unseasonal spectacle in aid of Springhill by simply turning up to Hollingworth Lake Visitors Centre from 9.30 am on Sunday 28 January.

Lillie explained: "This event raises a phenomenal amount of money for patient care at Springhill Hospice, nearly £20,000 being raised in 2016. We rely heavily on the support of our Santas, with their efforts raising enough money to fund Hospice care services for two entire days. We're hoping that the change of date won't dampen the generosity of our Santas’ sponsors."

01706 641790

https://springhill.org.uk/santadash-2017

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