Over 600 Santa's dashed or dawdled around Hollingworth Lake

Photo: Alan Calow

Mayor Surinder Biant and Mayoress Cecile Biant with Springy the Frog at the Springhill Hospice Santa Dash or Dawdle

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A record 616 Santa's dashed and dawdled around Hollingworth Lake on Sunday.

Despite Saturday's stormy weather the rain clouds cleared and the puddles dried just in time for Sunday morning’s Springhill Hospice fundraising event.  

Community Fundraiser 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, last year seeing 400 Father Christmas's.

“When we counted up the numbers on Sunday morning we were astounded."

"It was a fantastic day, so many Santa's, so much support both from participants, sponsors, volunteers and of course the team at Hollingworth Lake Visitor's Centre.

"This is the highest number of participants we have ever had for an event like this, it's testament to the amazing support the community offers the Hospice.

“Last year 400 Santa's raised £15.5k which keeps the doors of the Hospice open for two whole days."

Sarah Ford, Springhill's Income Services Manager said: “This enables our doctors, nurses and counsellors to offer free of charge care to the community.

"With 616 taking part this year we can only guess at how much money will be raised. An amazing day, thank you to everyone involved."