The big run up to Christmas (From The Oxford Times)

The big run up to Christmas

9:13pm Sunday 7th December 2008

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Freezing weather failed to divert 1,000 Father Christmases from a charity fun run in Oxford today.

Hundreds of hardy parents, children and grandparents donned bright red Santa costumes for a two-mile sponsored jog around the city centre and University Parks.

The event was organised as a fundraiser for Helen and Douglas House hospice in East Oxford, which cares for young people with life limiting illnesses, and the Help an Oxfordshire Child charity.

In the first Santa fun run last year, 750 people raised about £29,000 for the two charities, and fundraisers hope to beat that this year.

Lizzie Pickering, from Chipping Norton, took part in the race with her son Cameron, 12, and daughter Emily, six.

She became a leading fundraiser for Helen House after her six-year-old son Harry died from a form of muscular dystrophy eight years ago.

Mrs Pickering said: “We all love doing things for Helen House. I think it makes Harry seem a bit closer.

“We used Helen House for about four-and-a-half years and the main thing they offered us was that I felt we could hand over Harry’s condition while we were there.

“It was maybe the only place where we could be a normal family without all the care issues to worry about.”

Hospice head of fundraising Jo Mitchell added: “With everyone talking about the economy, it was great to see so many people here raising money for these causes. It was just fantastic.

“Christmas can be a tough time for some families when they don’t know if it is going to be the last one they spend with their child.”

Labour city councillor Mark Lygo braved the cold weather with his partner Louise Wilkins and children Emily, five and Samuel, eight.

He said: “Next year, I plan to keep raising funds for Helen and Douglas House by running the Reading half-marathon and London marathon.”

Firefighter Gary Crone, 37, from Sterling Road, Kidlington, took part with wife Louise, 42, and son Ben, five.

He said: “It’s the kind of event that you can do with your whole family. It’s also great fun for the kids in the run-up to Christmas.”

First to complete the run was Harry Jenkins, from Abingdon.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)