Kickstart the festive season with Birmingham’s biggest Santa-themed run

Kickstart the festive season with Birmingham’s biggest Santa-themed run

Hundreds of big-hearted Santas will be taking over Birmingham this Christmas, in a bid to raise vital funds for Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.

The charity’s ‘Jingle Bell Jog’ – which is a festive 2.5k and 5k fun run – is returning to Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club this year and will be the city’s only Santa-themed run.

Taking place at the club’s ground in Billesley Common on Sunday 2 December, the Hospice is expecting a record number of ‘Father Christmases’ to take part, with over 700 runners set to run, jog or walk the festive routes.

All fun runners and walkers will be given a free Mr or Mrs Claus suit before the race and rewarded with a medal and tasty mince pie once they cross the finish line.

There will also be a festive market for both runners and spectators – selling gifts, crafts and one-of-a-kind stocking fillers – as well as a special appearance from Dr Seuss’ ‘The Grinch’.

Josephine Wardell, who lives in Hopwood, has been running the Jingle Bell Jog for two years, with the fun run quickly becoming a much-loved festive tradition. She runs in memory of her sister Letitia – or Tish for short – who was cared for at the Hospice in 2016.

Josephine said: “When I first found out that Tish’s lung cancer was terminal, I was completely and utterly heartbroken. Tish was my older sister but she was also my best friend and I couldn’t imagine life without her.

“I was hesitant about Tish coming to a hospice at first but as soon as I visited Birmingham St Mary’s, I couldn’t believe how calm and peaceful it was. The nurses and doctors were just amazing – they really made Tish feel at home – and they always had time for my sister and our family.

“It was that kindness that made me want give back to the Hospice, which is why I always take part in the Jingle Bell Jog. It’s such a brilliantly festive day and I always have a lot of fun putting on my Santa suit, celebrating Tish’s memories and showing my support for the Hospice.”

This is the fifth year that the Hospice has hosted the Jingle Bell Jog and all funds raised will help provide expert care to people living with life-limiting illness across Birmingham and Sandwell.

Laura Nash, events manager at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “”Every day Birmingham St Mary’s cares for 400 people across Birmingham and Sandwell, whether that’s directly providing care, helping people live life to the full or supporting families and loved ones. It’s going to be great to see a huge crowd of jolly Santas raising money to make that happen and having loads of Christmassy fun while they do it!

“It costs £22,000 to run the Hospice on Christmas day so we really do rely on people’s generosity to continue to provide free care and support.”

The Jingle Bell Jog will be kicking-off the Hospice’s ‘Care at Christmas’ campaign, which is a festive appeal that aims to boost support for the charity leading up to and over the Christmas period.

Early bird tickets are on sale now and cost £14 for adults, £10 for children and £40 for a family. For children under five-years-old, admission is free.

To find out more or to book your place, visit: www.careatchristmas.org/jingle-bell-jog
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