The sight of hundreds of Santas greeted Christmas shoppers in Huddersfield yesterday.

And the festive fun run fundraisers helped raise thousands for charity.

The annual Santa Dash and Reindeer Run took place in Huddersfield town centre yesterday, organised by Huddersfield Lions.

Seventeen charities were represented by 174 runners who raised around £5,000.

And one of the youngest taking part was 12-week-old Flynn Pattison – with a little help from mum Sarah-Jane and dad Matthew.

Flynn and big brothers Dexter, five, and Clark, two, looked adorable as they ran the fun run dressed as festive bears.

The Shepley family were raising money for Kirkwood Hospice.

Video Loading

For Fiona Howell, of Honley, the event brought family and friends together in aid of the Joseph Salmon Trust.

The Trust offered Fiona and family help after the death of her 16-week-old son, Lucas.

Fiona said: “I was in hospital and one of the nurses said someone from the Joseph Salmon Trust had called offering help with funeral costs.

“It was a difficult time and while we didn’t need the money, we appreciated it.

“So we asked them to use it for someone else and we’ve done a lot of fundraising for them since.

“I ran this event last year and have got even more friends involved this year too.”

Among those running with Fiona were her children Robin, 13, and Skyla, 21 months.

Also joining in the fun was Helen Isley from Cleckheaton who was raising funds for children in a Kenyan slum called Kiandutu.

Helen, soon to be a high school teacher, said: “I learned about the charity on a gap year and it’s two guys who grew up in a slum who have gone back to help improve the lives on children there.

“They provide education or social activities.

“We’ve funded 150 pairs of shoes for the children. Kiandutu is also the name of a fly and it can infect children’s feet so shoes help prevent that.

 “Money raised from the Santa Dash will fund a Christmas trip for the children to a beauty spot where they can play games and have fun.”

First over the finishing line was Simon Brass, who completed the Santa Dash in five minutes 38 seconds.

Close behind in five minutes 45 seconds was his friend, Mark Nicholson.

Both are members of Huddersfield’s Park Run and the competitive duo were raising money for the Laura Crane Trust.

And the first children to finish were Holly Borthwick, 11 and Shannon Regan, 11, of Helme School.

They said they were “really happy” to be the first children over the line and were raising money for the Huddersfield Deaf Centre.

Lions president Andrew Thornes said: “The Santa Dash is an enormous opportunity for local charities, large and small, to raise money.

“We do all the administration – the charity gets all the money.

“Today has been absolutely fantastic. A great event.”

The event was sponsored by Armitage’s Garden Centre.