More than 500 people took part in festive fun run with £15,000 expected to be raised.
More than 500 jolly Santas took part in Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice’s annual Jingle Bell Jog recently – beating last year’s numbers by more than 100 participants.
Kings Heath Park became a sea of red and white as hundreds of Santas suited up to complete the 2km fun run on Sunday 4th December. All ages, abilities and even dogs warmed up with support from EasyGym Kings Heath before setting off on the jog, cheered on by friends and family. Runners were greeted at the finish line with mince pies and a special medal.
The annual event is on track to raise more than £15,000 for the Hospice – beating last year’s target of £10,000.
Hamish Shilliday, Head of Fundraising at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “The Jingle Bell Jog is always an amazing way to kick start our ‘Care at Christmas’ campaign and this year was no exception. I took part this year with my family and it was humbling to join our fantastic supporters and get in the festive spirit. More and more people, young and old support this event each year which is wonderful. The money raised from the fun run will enable us to continue to provide care and support to local families living with terminal illness so a huge thank you to all those that took part, volunteered and sponsored the event.”
The Jingle Bell Jog kicked off Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice’s Care at Christmas campaign, a jam-packed schedule of events throughout the festive period aimed at raising vital financial support for the charity. It costs £8 million each year to run the Hospice which provides care and support for over 1,200 individuals and their families, carers and loved ones across Birmingham and Sandwell.
Over half of these running costs come from voluntary incomes. Last year’s campaign raised more than £50,000 which could pay for 2,000 hours of Hospice at Home nursing care. It’s not too late to share the cheer and support the Hospice with its Care at Christmas campaign. Christmas cards are available to buy and locals can book to get their Christmas tree collected and recycled in the New Year as part of the Treecycling scheme.
Images of the event can be seen here and visit www.careatchristmas.org to find out more about this year’s campaign and how you can get involved.