Calling all budding Santas – a local charity is on the lookout for willing Father Christmases to take on its festive fun run this December!
The Jingle Bell Jog, organised by Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, kicks-off the ‘Care at Christmas Campaign’, which is an annual festive appeal that aims to boost support for the charity over the Christmas period. This year, ‘Care at Christmas’ will be extra special as it will help raise much-needed funds during the charity’s 40th anniversary year.
Over 700 participants are expected to run, jog or walk the festive route, which takes place at Birmingham Moseley Rugby Club on Sunday 1st December.
To help runners get into the festive spirit, the Hospice will be giving everyone who signs up a free Mr or Mrs Claus suit, and will reward them with a medal and tasty mince pie once they cross the finish line. We hope to see hundreds of big-hearted Santas run 2.5k and 5k to help raise vital funds for the charity.
There will also be a festive market for both runners and spectators, which will be selling gifts, crafts and one-of-a-kind stocking fillers, and a chance to say hello to the ‘real’ Santa in his grotto.
Last year, the Jingle Bell Jog raised over £20k for the Hospice, enabling it to continue to care for local people who are living with life-limiting illness.
Laura Nash, events manager at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, said: “The Jingle Bell Jog is a fun and lively event that the whole family can get involved in – but we need big-hearted Santas to get involved and support us.
“It will cost £24,658 to run our vital services this Christmas Day, so we really do rely on people generously fundraising for us. All sponsorship money raised from this event will allow us to continue to provide free care to patients, their families, carers and loved ones, supporting them to live well with life-limiting illness.”
Tickets for the Jingle Bell Jog are on sale now and cost £16 for adults, £12 for children and £2 for children under five-years-old. Family tickets cost £45. To find out more or to book your place, visit: www.careatchristmas.org/jingle-bell-jog
