16 December 2010
At a balmy 5 degrees centrigrade, it was enough to melt the
ice and snow so Santa might have struggled on his sleigh but more than 287 people enjoyed the (slightly!) warmer weather and donned their Santa Suits and Reindeer antlers to take part in the 5k Santa Run for Keech Hospice Care on Sunday 12th December at Wardown Park in Luton.
An amazing £38,000 was raised by runners of all ages and 
abilities from babies in buggies to mums in fancy dress for Keech Hospice Care, helping to continue the vital services, palliative care and support provided there for children with life-limiting conditions across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes and the same vital services for adults in the Luton area. Staff from Abacus, the Luton-based data and direct mail fulfilment company that sponsored this fun-raising event, turned out in force to join in the festive fun.
Taking time off from his busy schedule in Aladdin at the Grove
Theatre, Dunstable, Sooty came along with ‘the hand of Sooty,’ Richard Cadell, to get everyone started and help keep spirits up along the route.
DJ Gaz Wesley from BBC Three Counties Radio arrived along with Keech’s community fundraiser, Mark Relf, to cheer the runners on and he joined in the warm up to kick start the event! First across the line was Jamie Morriss from Stevenage, in a fantastic time of 16 minutes and 10 seconds.
“What a fantastic turn out of families and friends for our Santa
Run here in Luton, all able to enjoy running and toddling in the better weather this weekend!” said Clare Bestall – Phillips, Event Organiser at Keech Hospice Care. “We are so pleased everyone has had a really fun day and raised such an amazing amount of money. I’d like to thank every single one of them on behalf of all our staff and the patients we care for. With Keech Hospice based in Streatley, it is wonderful to be able to have an event like this so well supported by our local community.”
