Over six hundred braved the winter chill to support Santa Dash or Dawdle 2016

610 participants braved the winter chill to support the Santa Dash or Dawdle 2016

Over 600 Santas sprinted and strolled around Hollingworth Lake on Sunday 11 December all in aid of Springhill Hospice.

The 610 participants braved the winter chill to support the event to make the 11th Santa Dash another bumper turnout.

Fundraising Manager Lillie Winterbottom said: "Fundraising volunteer Pearl Benbow created this event in 2005 with 87 Santa's getting involved, over the year's support for the Santa Dash has grown, seeing over 600 people participating in each event in 2015 and 2016. Over the years the event has raised an amazing £75,000 and we’re hoping with this year’s fundraising that the total will hit £90,000.

"It was a fantastic day. The participants were serenaded by Wardle Community Band, we had a brilliant warm up from Elaine at Link4Life and support from Mayor Raymond Dutton. So many Santas, so much support from participants, sponsors, volunteers, and of course the team at Hollingworth Lake Visitor's Centre"

This year the Santa Dash or Dawdle campaign was given an extra boost by the Hospice’s charity shops.

Suzanne Ryder, Springhill’s Retail Manager, said: “Our shops took part in a window display competition, designed to tell our customers all about the Santa Dash or Dawdle.

"All of our shop team leaders and volunteers got into the festive swing of things and produced some beautiful window displays, promoting the Santa Dash or Dawdle.”

Springhill Hospice director of clinical services, Sheila Johnson and creative therapist, Anwen Maitland, judged the competition.

Sheila said: “It was really difficult to judge as each shop had a terrific display, but all of the displays were very different. Only a few points separated them."

The prize for best window display was given to the Middleton Shop, who generously donated their prize, a luxury tea hamper, to another local good cause, Brentwood Day Centre.