Joanne was involved in the very first fundraising run, an event which took place at Brindleyplace in Birmingham in 2007. Now ten years on, the annual Acorns Santa Run will kick-start the festive season with Yuletide dashes at Cannon Hill Park in Birmingham on Saturday 2 nd December and Walsall Arboretum on Sunday 3rd December.

The Moseley-born newsreader, who has been supporting Acorns for nearly 20 years, joined staff and volunteers at the charity’s hospice in Selly Oak for a fun photo shoot.

Joanne said: “This is a fantastic milestone for a wonderful event and I’d encourage budding Santas everywhere to sign up to help raise money for this special cause. Acorns is a charity very close to my heart and I know first-hand the wonderful work they do caring for children and their families across the Midlands. It was lovely to return to the charity’s hospice in Selly Oak and meet the fabulous staff and volunteers.”

Entrants for the Santa Run are given a free fancy-dress Santa suit and can take part in a 5km Santa Run or a 2km Santa Stroll. All Santas will be given free entry to the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham after the event.

Phillippa Weatherhead, Senior Events Officer at Acorns, said: “We were thrilled to welcome Joanne back to Acorns and grateful to her for taking time to once again suit up as Santa! The fundraising and sponsorship raised from events like the Santa Run are absolutely vital to provide the support our children need, so please join us and help make this an extra special Christmas for those we care for.”