Oakhaven Hospice hosting 15th annual fundraising Santa Dash around town starting at sponsor John D Wood & Co offices

GET on your marks for the 15th annual Oakhaven Santa Dash through Lymington.

There is still time to register to take part in the festive 3km fun run around the town on 8th December in aid of the hospice.

The previous 14 Santa Dashes have raised more than £180,000 for the charity, according to race organisers.

Known by many locals as the unofficial start of Christmas, organisers promise the dash will be a “fun opportunity” to gather with friends, family and colleagues to run, jog, walk, stroll, or scoot around the streets of Lymington.

Entry is £15 per adult and £7.50 per child, with a family ticket priced at £40. This year Oakhaven has also introduced a special ‘six for £60’ ticket, which the charity hopes will be popular with groups of friends, local organisations and businesses.

The ticket price includes a Santa suit, available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Regular ‘dashers’ are encouraged to wear again any Santa suits they may have saved from previous years – and those who would prefer to dress as a different festive character is welcome to do so.

Decorated pushchairs, buggies and mobility scooters will be welcomed. Dogs on short leads can also be dressed up and join in.

The event will start and finish in Lymington High Street outside the event’s headline sponsor, John D Wood & Co.

Oakhaven’s fundraising director Laura Eastwood said: “We are very much looking forward to our 15th Santa Dash and would like to thank our event sponsors for their support, in particular John D Wood & Co, our headline sponsor for over a decade.

“This year, we hope our Santa Dash will be bigger and better than ever. Oakhaven needs your support more than ever, whether you take part in the fun run, sponsor a Santa Dasher or come along on the day to cheer on the Santas.”

All funds raised will help to fund Oakhaven’s day-to-day running costs, which last year amounted to £8m.

To register, visit oakhavenhospice.co.uk/santa-dash