HUDDERSFIELD Lions are celebrating a record result after smashing their fundraising target for the 2012 Santa Dash.
The event, which took place on Sunday, December 9, has raised a stunning £16,116 – and the cash is still flooding in.
Charity group The Lions, set out to raise £10,000 in their second year running the event and approached Armitage’s Garden Centres to ask for sponsorship.
Andrew Thornes, chairman of Huddersfield Lions, said: “We knew we would be able to attract more runners if we could reduce the entry fee by securing a Santa Dash sponsor so we approached Armitage’s who agreed to support the Santa Dash and their £500 sponsorship enabled us to reduce the entry price by half to £5 for adults and £2.50 for children.
“We are delighted to have attracted 239 runners and thrilled to have smashed our record with an astounding £16,116 raised for local and national charities.”
The one-mile dash began at Yates’ Wine Lodge in the town centre and wound its way round Victoria Lane, Ramsden Street, Market Street, Cloth Hall Street and King Street.
Bob Armitage, who helped organise the event for the Lions, said it had been a tremendous atmosphere at Yates’ as the crowd of jostling Santas prepared to dash.
He said: “It was a terrific sight seeing all those Santas lined up and the children who were kitted out in antlers and flashing noses.”
Astonishingly, the Lions’ coffers were filled with a major contribution from a Liverpool-based family who added more than £6,500.
Bob said: “That is the impact of social media. When we ran the race last year we charged £10 and only 100 people took part.
“We have started using social networking and it’s amazing where people are coming from.
Paul Hirst at Armitage’s who organised the company’s support and raised a team who ran the mile for charity added: “It’s been a great event to be involved in. The Lions have done a brilliant job this year but the real thank you must go to all the runners who have raised a fantastic amount of money for charity.”
