Held to raise funds for Acorns Children’s Hospice, the Acorns Santa Run on Saturday 3rd December will kick-start the festive season as hundreds of ‘dashers’ suit-up as Father Christmas for a Yuletide run around Cannon Hill Park.

Registration for the event is now open for fundraisers to support Acorns and its work caring for life limited and life threatened children and their families across the West Midlands. Entrants are given a free fancy-dress Santa suit and can take part in a 5km Santa Run or a 2km Santa Stroll for those who want to take things slightly easier.

Phillippa Weatherhead, Senior Events Officer at Acorns, said: “It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Acorns Santa Run and we’re so excited that it’s nearly that time again! It’s probably the most Christmassy event out there and it’s an extra special one this year, being the tenth anniversary of the first Acorns Santa Run in Birmingham in 2007.

“The fundraising and sponsorship raised from events like the Santa Run are absolutely vital to provide the support our children need, so join us and help make this an extra special Christmas for those we care for.”

This year the event includes a Super Santa scheme which means any participants who raise £100 or more in fundraising can claim their registration fee back.

Phillipa continued: “There’s loads for the whole family to see and do on the day, including Christmas stalls and carol singers, so all we need now is for lots of speedy Santas to come along and make this the best year yet!”

Entry is £20 for adults, £10 for under 16s, £5 for three to five year olds and includes a Santa suit and a medal. All Santas will be given free entry to the National Sea Life Centre in Birmingham after the event.

The event is generously sponsored by Tippers Builders Merchants, so all sponsorship raised goes directly towards the care Acorns provides.