Photo by Angus Matheson
People are being encouraged to make Southport a sea of red once again this year as the 2022 Santa Sprint takes place to raise funds for Queenscourt Hospice!
Silcock’s, a local family-owned business which is a huge supporter of Queenscourt, is once again sponsoring the event on Sunday 11th December.
The firm is donating £1,000 to the hospice through the Santa Sprint, which sees hundreds of runners start the race directly outside Silcock’s Funland, Carousel and Pier Family Restaurant.
Silcock’s will be offering free tea or coffee to anyone taking part, as well as allowing them to enjoy bacon barms for just £1 each – as well as a free ride on the famous Silcock’s Carousel!
Silcock’s Operations Manager Serena Silcock-Prince said: “The Queenscourt Hospice Santa Sprint is a fabulous event for Southport! It really does bring everyone together.
“It looks great with everyone in Santa suits gathering outside Silcock’s Funland and Carousel before setting off on their challenge. It’s a real spectacle!
“We’ve sponsored the Santa dash for 10 years already. This will be our 11th year!
“As well as donating £1,000 to Queenscourt we cover the printing costs for the event as well as offering a free tea or coffee for every Santa and a discounted offer of just £1 for a bacon butty.
“This year we have decided to give a free carousel ride to every Santa too.
“It was a beautiful day when the Santa Sprint took place last year, made even more memorable when my nephew won the race!
“The Santa Sprint is very accessible. It is open to everyone, young or old, of all abilities.
“People can walk, they can run, they can bring their dogs!
“It’s a real community event that just brings everyone together.”
As well as being a fun event, the Santa Sprint has a serious message too. It is a major fundraiser for Queenscourt Hospice, which cares for around 2,000 local families in the West Lancashire, Southport and Formby area every year. Only a fifth of its funding comes from the NHS.
Serena Silcock-Prince said: “What Queenscourt does is fantastic. We love to support Dianne Gillespie and the team at the hospice.
“It’s a great local charity. So many people know family or friends who have received excellent care through Queenscourt.
“I would love to see lots of people sign up and take part in the Santa Sprint this year.
“Myself and everyone here at Silcock’s loves getting involved with this event every year. It has such a feelgood factor to it, which we really need right now.”
Registration for Santa Sprint 2022 is now live. The race starts at 11am on Sunday 11th December 2022.
Taking part costs £20 for adults, £10 for under 16s or £50 for a family of two adults and two children. Your Santa Sprint registration covers the cost of the event and your Santa suit.
Find out more and secure your place by visiting: https://lnkd.in/equc5UW
For more details contact 01704 517420 or email: fundraising@queenscourt.org.uk
The event, which celebrates its 13th anniversary, sees Southport’s coastline become a sea of Santas and has raised over £100,000 since its inception.
Once again there will be both a 3K and 5K route for you to walk, jog or run. The route, which starts and finishes at Silcock’s Funland, is also suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, pushchairs and buggies.
Each participant will be given a Santa suit to wear and you will also receive a medal. There will be a complimentary drink for each participant courtesy of Silcock’s Leisure Group.
This is a sponsored event and participants are kindly requested to have a minimum sponsorship of £30 for adults, £15 for under 16s.
Dianne Gillespie, Event Fundraiser for Queenscourt, said: “We are really looking forward to the return of Santa Sprint this year, the event is always such a fun occasion that raises much needed income for our hospice. After the success of Star Trekk earlier this year, we can’t wait for our local community to come together once again and spread some festive cheer in their Santa Suits, ready for the Christmas holidays.”
If you are able to help to marshal at this event, please email fundraising@queenscourt.org.uk or call 01704 517420.
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